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The Holy Grail, a mythical race, the Everest of the seas... There are many names for the Vendée Globe. The dream of every sailor, this race is the only non-stop single-handed round-the-world race under sail. In 9 editions, 200 skippers have started the race and only 114 have completed it . Many more have conquered Mount Everest or spent time in space!
Inspired by an English race
In 1968, the British newspaper The Sunday Times launched the Golden Globe Challenge, at the request of Sir Francis Chichester. It was a sailing challenge, with no start date (competitors had to set off from the port of their choice between the 1 er june and October 31, 1968), passing through the 3 capes.
Of the nine starting out, only one managed to complete his circumnavigation. Robin Knox-Johnston in 313 days.
Twenty years later, Philippe Jeantot âeuros, who had twice won the BOC Challenge (round-the-world race with stopovers) âeuros launched the idea of creating a new round-the-world race, this time non-stop.
The first Vendée Globe took place in 1989. 13 sailors set off on this first edition, which lasted over 3 months. Only 7 of them made it to Les Sables-d'Olonne, already the start and finish of the round-the-world race.
Three oceans, three capes
The Vendée Globe takes place every 4 years and takes sailing legends around the world aboard their Imoca, a 60-foot monohull (18.28 m) the latest generations (since 2016) are equipped with foils, enabling them to fly above the water.
Every year, the event attracts millions of spectators. Starting and finishing in Les Sables-d'Olonne, it gives sailors the chance to share their adventure and compete against each other in a top-level sporting event. They cross the Atlantic Ocean, then the Indian and Pacific Oceans, before returning to the Atlantic after rounding the three legendary capes: the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn.
Three characteristics that make up the race's DNA
The Vendée Globe is a solo race during which only the skipper can be aboard his boat. With the exception of rescuing another competitor, as has already happened in the history of the race.
During his round-the-world voyage, the skipper has no no support and can only rely on himself. He has to manage his route and weather routing alone, repair any technical faults, and look after himself in the event of illness or injury. Bertrand de Broc, in the 92/93 edition, was forced to sew his tongue back on after an incident in the middle of the race, following telephone instructions from a doctor.
From a technical assistance point of view, it is strictly forbidden to berth another boat or to allow a third party to board.
Solo sailors must complete their round-the-world voyage without disembarking for a technical stop . The only possibility is to return to Les Sables-d'Olonne within 10 days of the start. In 2008, Michel Desjoyeaux returned to Les Sables-d'Olonne and left 40 hours late. But that didn't stop him from winning the race!
When racing, solo sailors are also allowed to stop âeuros at anchor in a cove âeuros, for example, but without setting foot ashore.
The Vendée Globe, the consecration of eight great sailors
Nine editions of the Vendée Globe have taken place since its birth in 1989. Yet eight sailors have won the race, with one skipper achieving the feat of winning it twice. In 1990, Titouan Lamazou won the 1st edition. In 1993, Alain Gautier made Vendée Globe history, followed in 1997 by Christophe Auguin. Michel Desjoyeaux made history in 2001 and 2009, with his 2nd victory, he became the only skipper to have won the solo race twice.
Vincent Riou won the race in 2005, while François Gabart made history in 2013. In 2016, skipper Armel Le Cléac'h made race history with a new reference time of 74 days. In 2020, Yannick Bestaven becomes the latest winner.
