february 7, 2025: Final miles and memories before the finish line
As the finish approaches for the eleven skippers still racing, the Atlantic imposes a final test. Guirec Soudée (Freelance.com, 23rd), at the head of this group, is expected in Les Sables d'Olonne on Saturday morning, February 10. To bring his first Vendée Globe to a symbolic close, he has chosen to sail off the coast of Brittany before heading back down to Vendée. Behind him, a quartet led by Louis Duc (Fives Group âeuros Lantana Environnement, 24th) battled against capricious weather and unstable winds that slowed their progress.
The final days at sea are marked by intense fatigue. After almost 90 days of racing, the skippers are oscillating between impatience and melancholy. Kojiro Shiraishi (DMG Mori Global One, 25th), Violette Dorange (DeVenir, 26th) and Sébastien Marsset (Foussier, 27th) had to adapt their course to changing weather conditions. Initially tempted by a more northerly trajectory, this group has had to revise its plans to avoid the violent winds expected south of Ireland. Louis Duc, who seemed to be in the lead, now has to deal with the loss of a daggerboard, a technical handicap which complicates navigation in these final miles.
Guirec Soudée, for his part, despite headwinds blowing between 35 and 40 knots, is staying the course and preparing to savor his arrival. Despite difficult sailing conditions, he's hanging on to the final moments of this adventure.
Further out in the Atlantic, the skippers at the rear of the fleet continue to climb patiently. Manuel Cousin (Coup de Pouce, 31st), Fabrice Amedeo (Nexans-Wewise, 32nd) and Denis Van Weynbergh (D'Ieteren Group, 33rd) are finally making good headway thanks to the trade winds. Although land still seems a long way off, they're making the most of their final days at sea to savor the moments of sailing when everything seems perfectly in place.
february 8, 2025: Guirec Soudée completes his first circumnavigation after 89 days at sea
Saturday, February 8, 2025, Guirec Soudée has crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe, ranking 23rd after 89 days, 20 hours and 16 minutes at sea. An adventurer renowned for his atypical expeditions, notably his circumnavigation of the globe with his hen Monique and his Atlantic crossings by rowing boat, Guirec took up the challenge of this solo round-the-world race. In less than four years, he went from ocean racing novice to IMOCA skipper, benefiting from the advice of experienced sailors and building a dedicated team. Throughout the race, he overcame various technical problems, such as damaged sails and rigging damage, not hesitating to carry out complex repairs, including dives into the icy waters of the South Atlantic. His perseverance in the face of extreme conditions, including gusts of over 70 knots in the Indian Ocean, enabled him to complete this edition of the Vendée Globe successfully.
february 9, 2025: 4 skippers cross the finish line on an intense day
February 9, 2025 will be remembered for a cascade of arrivals in Les Sables d'Olonne. 4 skippers have completed their circumnavigation, each adding their own personal story to this exceptional edition of the Vendée Globe.
At 8:47 a.m, Kojiro Shiraishi (DMG Mori Global One) crossed the finish line in 24th position, becoming the first Japanese skipper to complete two Vendée Globe races. After a promising start to the race, Kojiro was faced with a complex climb back up the Atlantic, notably due to fickle winds and tired equipment. Despite the difficulties, he fought on to the end, ending his adventure with a broad smile and a dream of a future Vendée Globe.
A few hours later, at 11:15, Violette Dorange (DeVenir) crossed the line in 25th place. At just 23 years of age, this first participation was a real apprenticeship for the sailor, who had to deal with damage and tough conditions in the Deep South. Her final days at sea were marked by an intense battle against her direct rivals, and it was with great emotion that she sailed up the channel in Les Sables d'Olonne, welcomed by a warm crowd.
At 12:33pm, Louis Duc (Fives Group âeuros Lantana Environnement) crossed the line in 26th position. For his first participation, the skipper from Normandy showed great adaptability in the face of numerous technical challenges, including the breakage of his outboard daggerboard and several damaged sails. His tactical management in the North Atlantic enabled him to stay ahead of his direct pursuers. Louis Duc thus concludes his Vendée Globe on a positive note, already looking ahead to future projects.
Finally, at 1:12pm, Sébastien Marsset (Foussier) completed his Vendée Globe in 27th place. Exhausted but proud, the skipper had to show resilience to overcome numerous power failures and repeated repairs throughout the race. His final days were particularly intense, but Sébastien held on, savoring every mile to the finish line.
february 10, 2025: Final miles for 8 skippers still at sea
With a steady stream of arrivals over the past few days, 8 skippers are continuing their journey across the North Atlantic. Between patience and determination, each is seeking to complete his circumnavigation at his own pace, keeping in mind the challenges of the final stages. For Ãric Bellion (Stand as One âeuros Altavia), expected in Les Sables d'Olonne on February 12, and Denis Van Weynbergh (D'Ieteren Group), who is due to cross the equator on Tuesday night, concentration remains the order of the day. The former, currently in light airs off Cape Finisterre, is savoring the final moments of his adventure, although his damaged bowsprit is forcing him to constantly adapt his sails. He contemplates the ocean with gratitude, but admits to a growing desire to arrive:
Denis Van Weynbergh, for his part, had to deal with a watermaker problem, forcing him to collect water manually in order to make it to the finish. The Belgian remains methodical and optimistic despite the difficulties:
For the skippers still at sea, knowing that their comrades have already arrived arouses mixed feelings. The excitement of returning to land and loved ones mixes with nostalgia for the adventure. En route to Martinique, Arnaud Boissières (La Mie Câline), out of the race after dismasting, is also savoring the last few miles, despite the disappointment of not having finished.
