Spectacular rescue of Philippe Poupon
For the first edition in 1989-1990, 13 participants took the start in Les Sables-d'Olonne on 26th November 1989. Only seven of them managed to complete this first solo round-the-world race, won by Titouan Lamazou on 15 March 1990, in 109 d 08 h 48 min 50 s on Ecureuil d'Aquitaine II.
However, this first edition was also marked by the rescue of Philippe Poupon, whose boat was on the edge after catching a wave. Three boats were rerouted, but it was Loïck Peyron, who arrived on the scene first and came to his rescue. Under sail, he towed the boat, which managed to be straightened by its skipper once the mizzen mast had been dropped. The scene, entirely filmed by Loïck Peyron, goes around the world and begins to make the Vendée Globe a myth.
Two deaths and an incredible feat
The second edition (1992-1993) was marked by two tragic events. The disappearance of the Englishman Nigel Burgess, on the first night of the race, in the Bay of Biscay and found drowned on November 26th at Cape Finisterre, floating in his survival suit, with his beacons, while his boat was found intact.
But also by that of the American Mike Plant (2 e participation) as a convoy for the departure from Les Sables-d'Olonne which it will never reach. His boat was found abandoned during the race.
Bertrand de Broc's incredible prowess is also worthy of note, as he cut his tongue deeply in the face. He sewed himself up, guided at a distance by the doctor Jean-Yves Chauve. This episode will go down in legend and earn de Broc the nickname "Rambo."
Of the 14 participants (15 at the base) who started on November 22, 1992, seven are still completing the loop. The edition will be won by Alain Gautier on March 12, 1993 after 110 d 2 h 22 min 35 s.
One disappearance and three unlikely rescues
There are 15 competitors - but sixteen with Raphaël Dinelli "as a pirate" due to a lack of qualification in time - to start the 1995-1996 edition. Only six of them finished the race, which was won on 17 February 1997 by Christophe Auguin in 105 d 20 h 31 min.
This edition was marked by the violent wreck of Raphaël Dinelli, who capsized twice on 25 December 1995 after dismasting in the Indian Ocean, south of Australia. The skipper - whose boat is sinking - will have to wait 36 hours in water at 3 degrees. Pete Goss routed his 50-foot boat in apocalyptic conditions, but managed to save Dinelli, clutching a rope and assaulted by the breakers "near death" as the saviour explained.
At 64 e on the day of the race, two beacons are triggered, that of Tony Bullimore and Thierry Dubois. The two men are sailing 15 miles away from Australia in huge seas (65 to 70 knots of wind). Tony Bullimore capsizes, but manages to find refuge in a boat air pocket (left upside down), without light or food. Thierry Dubois, out of the race following a technical stop in South Africa 15 days before, capsizes and dismasts. The latter is finally hoisted by helicopter. Bullimore's boat is also spotted, but without any sign of life. It will be necessary to knock on the hull to see the sailor emerging from the icy water.
On January 7, 1996, Gerry Roufs' beacon ceased to transmit. The day before, he told Isabelle Autissier - out of the race after being forced to call at Cape Town - about a Dantesque storm with "waves as high as the Alps." The latter, who was sailing in the same area, began a search, but her boat capsized several times in winds of up to 80 knots. Weakened, she resumed her course, a decision that will be controversial for Philippe Jeantot, the organiser of the event.
Marc Thiercelin, Éric Dumont and Bertrand de Broc are searching in vain over a huge area of the Pacific. In 1998, pieces of Groupe LG2 will be found on an island in Chile.
New rules
As a result of this grieving edition, new rules will gradually be introduced starting with the 2001-2002 edition:
- The appendages of the vessel (keel and rudder) and part of the hull must be fluorescent in colour
- Vessels must be able to right themselves after capsizing..
- Course markers are introduced to prevent solo sailors from reaching too dangerous latitudes.
After these new rules, there are no more deaths or serious accidents.
A terrible accident and an epic rescue in 2008
On 18th December 2008, Yann Eliès broke his femur and his pelvis 800 miles from Australia. He is suffering excruciatingly and will have to make superhuman efforts to take refuge inside his boat and then look for painkillers. He will wait 36 hours for help. Guillemot was diverted, then the Australian Navy evacuated the skipper of Generali. Yann was able to get away after a long rehabilitation, as his boat was lost.
On 5th January 2008, Jean Le Cam capsized following the loss of his keel bulb as he rounded Cape Horn. He was then on the phone with Vincent Riou, who immediately understood the seriousness of the situation and (together with Armel le Cléac'h) went to his aid. When he arrived on the scene, King John was safe in the bow of his boat, partially filled with water. The skipper of PRB managed to rescue him, but damaged his boat during the manoeuvre (he broke an outrigger) and PRB dismasted the following night. Forced to abandon, he finished 3 e a tie, an honorary ranking.
