10 round Cape Horn round the world races, 5 solo round the world voyages - including one upside down - two IMOCA world championship titles (92/96)... These references make you dream and belong to the impressive list of achievements of the famous sailor Jean-Luc Van Den Heede. At 73 years old, he is about to complete his 6 eST PRIS DANS LE GROS TEMPS, ET TANGUE DE GAUCHE ?ROITE, SECOUÉ PAR LES VAGUES. UN HOMME, SANS DOUTE UN PÊCHEUR QUI PARTICIPE À UNE SESSION DE PÊCHE SPORTIVE, PASSE PAR-DESSUS BORD, DE MANIÈRE ASSEZ IMPRESSIONNANTE. around the world at solitaire?! A prouesse?!
A man of sailing races
Born on June 8, 1945 in Amiens, in the north of France, Jean-Luc Van Den Heede began sailing at the age of 17, before starting a monitoring position at Les Glénans. After a career as a mathematics teacher in Lorient, he really devoted himself to professional sailing from 1989.
Like most of the great sailors of our time, it was through the Mini Transat that he set foot in sailing. A 4th place in 1977 followed by a 2nd place in 1979. Then he made his debut in IMOCA, with two podium finishes in the 1990 Vendée Globe (3rd place) and 1993 (2nd place). He will also win the IMOCA World Champion title by two fois?! A first in 1992 and again in 1996.
He will also participate several times in the BOC Challenge - a solo round the world race with stages - once again achieving great results.
A man of records
But in addition to racing around the world, VDH (as he is known in the world) is also a record-breaking man who has sailed around the world. In 1999, he made his first attempt at the Global Challenge, a reverse round the world trip, from east to west, against all odds and currents. He sails on Algimouss, a 60-foot boat. But a collision with a UFO in the South Seas will force him to give up.
He did it again in 2001 aboard Adrien, a 25.70 m aluminium Vaton plan, specially designed for these attempts to set a round the world record in reverse. However, the boat has a keel fastening problem after Cape Horn. After having carried out a makeshift repair, the skipper will bring his boat back to port.
In 2002, he left again for a third attempt, still on board Adrien. While he has a comfortable lead over the previous record, he is breaking into the South Seas. He brings his boat back to Tasmania with his makeshift rig.
The year 2004 will be bonne?! Still on board Adrien, i l completed its journey in 122 days 14 hours, 3 minutes and 49 seconds on March 9, 2004 . It is undefeated to this day! Yves le Blévec had also tried this record but this time in a multihull (an inverted round the world race never done in a multihull). Left at the end of 2017, it capsized off Cape Horn after less than a month at sea . In this article, we will see how to roll up long ends. In this example the technique is described for a right-handed person.
A regatta man
When he doesn't complete a round the world trip, VDH also takes part in the regatta aboard his Feeling 10.40: Port Olonna Trophy, Spi Ouest France, La Rochelle Week, Course des Iles, cruise of the Vendée ports..
A man of words
For more than 10 years, VDH has also been a sought-after speaker. He leads meetings, seminars and company conventions in a wide variety of fields. Based on his experience as a solo sailor and crew, he develops themes dear to personal development: motivation, sharing, anticipation, success, surpassing oneself..
A man of reward
He obtained maritime merit in 1992 and was knighted of the Legion of Honour in 2004.
