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The 10th edition of the Vendée Globe is officially underway. In the early hours of the morning, the 40 skippers joined the pontoons, starting with a smiling Charlie Dalin, the first to leave Port Olona on the IMOCA Macif Santé Prévoyance. One by one, and every 3 minutes, the sailors left the port and sailed down the famous channel, cheered on by the crowds. A radical change from the last edition, 4 years ago, which took place in the middle of Covid.
Some skippers took advantage of the opportunity to put on a show, with Fabrice Amédéo miming a boxer, Damien Seguin dressed as a crochet captain, and Yannick Bestaven, the latest winner, kissing his trophy...
After waiting in the bay with their teams, the sailors were left alone with 5 minutes to go before the start. The final countdown was given by the race president, Alain Leboeuf, before the 40 competitors set off at 13h02 in a very light breeze: tailwind and 4 knots of breeze. Last time, the start was postponed due to persistent fog on the race course.
None of the skippers has crossed the line, and the fleet is making its way out to sea at very slow speeds, between 2 and 3 knots... However, Conrad Colman on his IMOCA MS Amlin did not cross the line, reporting that a part of his propeller was stuck. The skipper has asked for assistance and is expected to set off again shortly.
Conditions are about to change, with 45 knots of wind off Cape Finisterre. All the sailors are now taking it in their stride, with a small gap opening up between the boats further south, and a fleet led by Paul Meilhat on Biotherm.
