VENDEE GLOBE 2024: THE INTERNATIONAL EDITION NOT TO BE MISSED!

11/07/2024

The Vendée Globe 2024: dive into the skippers' adventure and browse the information to help you live this experience. What challenges must be overcome during this solo round-the-world race on IMOCA boats? Find all the answers in this article about the Vendée Globe 2024.

The Vendée Globe 2024, organized every 4 years since 1989 by SAEM Vendée and awaited by all skippers, is considered one of the most difficult challenges in watersports worldwide.

This tenth edition, followed by millions across the globe, takes place every 4 years departing from Les Sables d'Olonne in Vendée and promises to be particularly competitive with talented skippers from different countries.

Over the years, it has become an essential event for all sailing enthusiasts.

Nicknamed "the Everest of the Seas", this famous solo sailing race non-stop and without assistance attracts experienced sailors, world champions, and novices seeking to make a name for themselves or gain experience.

The Vendée Globe 2024 promises to be an especially exciting edition. Many factors suggest a very close race.

Participants will sail around the globe facing extreme weather conditions, giant waves, and strong winds. They must cross the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans, passing the three most feared capes: Cape of Good Hope, Leeuwin, and Horn.

The route consists of a "West to East" circumnavigation.

• The start is given on November 10, 2024, from 1:02 pm in the bay of Les Sables d’Olonne, Vendée.

Skippers will cover approximately 45,000 kilometers (about 21,000 nautical miles) around the globe, passing the three legendary capes: Cape of Good Hope, Leeuwin, and Horn.

• Sail down the North Atlantic to the South leaving: port side, Cape of Good Hope; port side, Cape Leeuwin; port side, Cape Horn; starboard side, the Antarctic continent and its Antarctic Exclusion Zone (AEZ), then sail back up the South Atlantic to the North
• Estimated arrival end of December 2024 / early January 2025 in the bay of Les Sables d’Olonne
• Participants: Nearly 40 skippers are expected at the start, aboard IMOCA, highly performant and technological racing monohulls. Stakes: The Vendée Globe is a demanding race, both physically and mentally. Breaking the race record held by Armel Le Cléac'h at 74 days 3 hours 35 minutes 46 seconds during the 2016-2017 edition and winning this legendary race considered the Grail of sailingBoats: Skippers sail on IMOCA, highly performant and technological racing monohulls. These boats, used for the Vendée Globe, are true technological gems.

They are equipped with the latest innovations in materials, navigation systems, meteorology, and advanced communication to optimize navigation.

• A lively village: At Les Sables-d'Olonne, a village dedicated to the Vendée Globe welcomes the public for several weeks. You will find exhibitions, activities, conferences, and the opportunity to meet the skippers.
• An event followed around the world: Thanks to new technologies and geolocation systems, it is possible to follow the race in real time and discover behind the scenes of this exceptional adventure.

You can experience the race start on France Info, which broadcasts live from the village from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm. A special "live departure" show on France Bleu Loire Océan will be aired from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.

The Vendée Globe, with its unique solo round-the-world sailing format, has forged a legend around itself. It has given rise to legendary races and highlighted illustrious figures who have marked sailing history.

This remarkable race is not just a simple sailing competition. It is a sporting and technological challenge, a test of maritime skills, a challenge that pushes the limits of endurance and innovation with stories of courage, determination, self-surpassing, and passion for the sea.

The total absence of external support, facing solitude and fatigue, forcing skippers to confront the raw forces of the ocean alone, remains an intense physical and mental ordeal.

They must also manage the equipment: maintain and repair the boat at sea, optimize limited supplies (water, food, energy...), and adapt to the technical evolutions of the boats.

Moreover, skippers face risks linked to solo navigation (breakdowns, injuries, man overboard…), comply with safety and race rules, and must be capable of managing their boat and making crucial decisions at sea.

Meeting these challenges requires years of preparation, training, and experience from the skippers.

This event remains a must for all sailing lovers and extreme condition enthusiasts.

Legendary races born from the Vendée Globe

The success of the Vendée Globe has inspired the creation of other sailing races, following the path of this extreme adventure.

Among the most famous are:

Golden Globe Race

The success of the Vendée Globe departing from Les Sables d'Olonne, Vendée for a classic round-the-world sailing race inspired the creation of other sailing races, following this extreme adventure.

Route du Rhum

Although not a round-the-world race, the Route du Rhum is a solo transatlantic race featuring experienced sailors, often from the Vendée Globe. It offers a preview of the spirit of competition and adventure.

Transat Jacques Vabre

This double-handed transatlantic race between Le Havre, the start city, and Martinique, the finish location, is another major sailing event. It allows skippers to prepare for the Vendée Globe by partnering with a co-skipper.

The Vendée Globe has seen many talented sailors who have marked the race's history.

Among the most famous are:

• Titouan Lamazou Winner in 1990: 109 days, 8 hours, 47 minutes, and 55 seconds
• Alain Gautier in 1992 at 110 days, 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 35 seconds
• Christophe Auguin in 1997 at 105 days, 20 hours, and 31 minutes
• Michel Desjoyeaux: Two-time Vendée Globe winner, he is considered one of the greatest sailors of all time. His consistency and experience make him a reference. 2000-2001 at 93 days, 3 hours, 57 minutes, and 32 seconds
• Vincent Riou in 2005 at 87 days 10 hours 47 minutes and 55 seconds
• Michel Desjoyeaux in 2009 at 84 days, 3 hours, 9 minutes, and 8 seconds
• François Gabart: Winner in 2013, in 78 days, 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 40 seconds, he set a new solo round-the-world record. His sense of innovation and performance make him an iconic figure.
• Armel Le Cléac'h: Winner in 2017, in 74 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes, and 46 seconds, he broke François Gabart's record. His determination and steel mindset allowed him to achieve this historic victory.
• Yannick Bestaven: in 80 days, 3 hours, 44 minutes, and 46 seconds. Winner of the last edition in 2021, he achieved an exceptional performance by winning after a sea rescue.
• Ellen MacArthur: First woman to reach the Vendée Globe podium, she impressed with her courage and tenacity.

These sailors, having demonstrated their talent and endurance, have contributed to making the Vendée Globe a legend and have inspired new generations of sailors.

Interesting film adaptations exploring the world of the Vendée Globe

The success of the Vendée Globe has inspired the creation of other sailing races, following the path of this extreme adventure.

Among the most well-known and broadcast on big or small screens are:

La Vallée des Fous

by Xavier Beauvois with Jean Paul Rouve: This drama film follows the story of Jean-Paul, a sailing enthusiast who participates in Virtual Regatta, the virtual version of the Vendée Globe, to overcome an existential crisis. He isolates himself for three months on a boat set up in his garden.

Seul

by Pierre Isoard – An adventure and survival TV film inspired by the journey of sailor Yves Parlier during the Vendée Globe 2000. Motivated by a thirst for victory and the dream to join childhood heroes, Parlier commits to this extreme race, non-stop and without assistance.

29173 nm

An artistic documentary by Molécule following skipper Thomas Ruyant during his Vendée Globe 2020-2021 where he sailed solo the 29173 nautical miles around the world.
An unprecedented auditory and visual immersion for the viewer.

These works offer unique perspectives on the race and the challenges it represents.

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All information to prepare your visit and fully experience this immersion in the offshore racing world, whether regarding ticketing, site access, and activities, can be found on the official Vendée Globe website.

You can also consult the list of skippers participating.

Don't miss this event! It is also an opportunity to browse the about sixty stands held by sponsors, institutional partners, associative partners, as well as economic and tourism actors.