Alexia Barrier - TSE - 4 My Planet
The Mediterranean of the race is sailing on the oldest boat in the fleet, aboard which Catherine Chabaud will become the first woman to complete a Vendée Globe in 1996-1997. After a 15th place in the 2018 Route du Rhum, she is embarking on her first circumnavigation of the globe.
"We've been operating on a Figaro budget for two years now, so I'm happy to have a new partner (TSE). My boat knows the route well, as she has already sailed 7 round the world voyages and will be taking part in her 4th Vendée Globe. I promise, after that he will retire"
Manuel Cousin - Groupe Sétin
After a 14th place in the 2018 Route du Rhum and a 22nd place in the 2019 Transat Jacques Vabre, it is across the oceans of the Globe that this former sales executive at Toyota is about to embark on his career.
"It's a real life-changer. I have had the chance and privilege of sailing these boats since I left my job in 2017 to become a professional skipper. It's a real joy to sail these beautiful boats."
Clarisse Crémer - Banque Populaire X
Nothing predestined this Parisian company boss to take the start of her first round the world voyage on the winning boat of the 2012 Vendée Globe (ex-Macif) fitted with daggerboards. The woman, who made a real change in her life five years ago, shone in the Azimut 2020 Challenge with a 4th place finish, and also distinguished herself with a 6th place finish in the Transat Jacques Vabre 2019.
"I wanted to take part in the Mini Transat in 2017 (Editor's note: she finished 2nd) and I discovered a real passion and a true love of the ocean. I'm very lucky to have been coached by a champion like Armel le Cléac'h, who set an example for me and gave me a lot of advice on the boat. I'm now going to be all alone to sail around the world."
Charlie Dalin - Apivia
Was the winner of the 2019 Transat Jacques Vabre on his IMOCA Apivia scheduled to set sail from the Vendée one day Globe?? Accompanied by François Gabart's team (Mer Concept), he feels ready to race this race that he has been dreaming about for so long.
"I've been dreaming of doing this race for a very long time. Single-handed ocean racing is what I prefer. I especially like the single-handed part. The longer the races are, the better I feel, even though I've never spent more than 20 days at sea. So there's a bit of the unknown, but I'm very happy to be at the start."
Benjamin Dutreux - Omia Water Family
The Vendée will finally be well at the start of this 2020 edition after going through ups and downs.
"We've had some tough times, and so have a lot of teams. There are always twists and turns, but we remember the good times, especially the fact that we can be at the start. It's a huge emotion, and to have overcome those little setbacks makes you want to feel extra satisfaction."
Kevin Escoffier - PRB
This veteran of crewed round the world races - Jules Verne Trophy, Volvo Ocean Race - has been entrusted with the helm of the IMOCA PRB by Vincent Riou. He is training in Port La Forêt, where Vincent Riou owns premises, which he shares with Sébastien Simon, another newcomer.
"Everything's going very well with a month and a half to go. I know the route for sure, but now we'll have to make progress on the solo side."
Clément Giraud - Compagnie du Lit/Jiliti
His dream almost fell through when his boat caught fire at the end of 2019. But thanks to the support of another skipper and his new partner Jiliti, he will be getting off to a good start in this ninth edition of the Vendée Globe.
"I've got a new boat and a new partner. We're getting ready in La Rochelle, where we're working a little with Maître Coq. That Erik Nigon is lending me his boat to do the Vendée Globe is something I've never seen before. Just like the outpouring of solidarity this past year."
Damien Seguin - Apicil
More accustomed to regattas between four buoys, this Olympic and Paralympic Sailing World Championship champion will set off on his first circumnavigation of the world on the star boat of the single-handed film.
"I came into ocean racing in 2005 and I had a lot of trouble getting accepted. (Editor's note: Damien was born without a left hand). Little by little, I sailed bigger and bigger boats and I think I've earned my place in this community."
Sébastien Simon - Arkéa Paprec
Winner of the Solitaire du Figaro in 2018, Sébastien Simon has now jumped into the deep end. After several problems with the foils of his boat, he is coming back confident for his first round the world voyage.
"Trust is slowly returning. The last year hasn't been easy, but I'm very lucky to be sailing on a latest-generation boat, on big foils. It's a dream. I grew up in Les Sables opposite the VG pontoon and that's where my dream was born. I have a lot of emotion in me."
Maxime Sorel - V&B Mayenne
Previously a Class40 skipper, it was after the 2018 Route du Rhum that he decided to embark on his first Vendée Globe. A big step in avant?!
"These are demanding boats, hard to master, both on the water and on land. It requires a lot of logistics. In the end, you're not alone on a circumnavigation of the world. This is a common wish with my partners and the association Vaincre La Muco. I've always had a fascination for the Vendée Globe, seeing one man sailing on a sailing boat, non-stop and without assistance. I'm proud to show colours and to carry the message loud and clear."
Armel Tripon - L'Occitane in Provence
Previously involved in Multi50s - he won the 2018 Route du Rhum aboard these flying multihulls - he now sails on one of the 8 new boats in the class.
"It's a new and singular boat. In spite of a few setbacks, I finished my qualifier, before starting my first 48-hour race. We'll be sailing in the breeze next week to continue training. This new boat is closer to the Multi50s as she's a real thoroughbred who just needs to accelerate all the time, so we have to manage this power."
Nicolas Troussel - Corum
Nicolas Troussel has been rather discreet since the launch of his boat and has preferred to sail alone rather than in a race, in order to make the latest generation IMOCA boat more reliable.
"We launched the boat again last weekend, the first nav' took place last night. Like everyone else, I can't wait to get back to my boat and get back to sailing and managing the preparations before the stand-by in Les Sables-d'Olonne. I'm taking advantage of the advice of Michel Desjoyeaux and Sébastien Josse. In fact, we've sailed quite a bit since the launch, 9?000 miles. I'm very happy with the choices we've made between the builder, the architect and the guys who came to sail the boat. It's very reassuring."
