Vendée Globe 2020

The Vendée Globe solo around the world race is seen as the world’s toughest sporting challenge. The concept of the Vendée Globe is simple and easy to understand. Sail around the world, alone, without stopping and without assistance.

The event was created in the spirit of the Golden Globe; which was held in 1968, the first non-stop solo around the world race via the three capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin and the Horn). Out of the nine pioneers, who set sail in 1968, only one made it back to Falmouth on 6th April 1969 after 313 days at sea. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston thus became the first person to sail alone around the world without stopping.

In 1989, the race that is now called the Vendée Globe, was run. Known as the 'Everest' of the seas, it has seen 138 sailors line up at the start, while only 71 have managed to cross the finishing line. This figure alone signifies the huge difficulty of this global event, in which sailors face icy cold conditions, mountainous waves, leaden skies and howling gales in the Atlantic and Southern Oceans.

The race takes place every four years, and records tumbled in the 8th edition in 2016-2017. This edition saw Armel Le Cleac'h set the fastest time of 74 days. The victory came after the most tightly fought duel in the race’s history, with Alex Thomson finishing just 16h later.

The race set media records too, becoming the offshore sailing race most followed worldwide on social media. It was the French sporting event achieving the biggest impact that year (more than Roland Garros and the Tour de France). 2.2 million visitors attended the start and finish of the race. And the three months of racing was followed by a TV and press audience of 2.3 billion. The Vendée Globe brings together people passionate about extraordinary human adventures and sporting endeavour. (https://www.vendee2020vision.com/the-vendee-globe)

The 8th Vendée Globe witnessed a new generation of Open 60 yachts now feature “foiling” daggerboards, achieving speed increases of up to 15% compared to earlier generations. The next race starts on Sunday November 8th, 2020. 

Vendée Globe 2020 Race Start

by Vendée Globe 8 Nov 22:00 HKT

Vendée Globe fleet gathers speed

A sea mist shrouding the start zone off Les Sables d'Olonne held up the start of the ninth edition of the Vendée Globe, the solo non-stop round the world race, for nearly one hour and 20 minutes.

But for their patience the record-sized 33 boat fleet was rewarded by late autumn sunshine, a near perfect 10-12 knots south easterly breezes and flat seas when the start gun finally sounded at 1420hrs French time, sending the lone 27 men and 6 women skippers off on their 24,296 nautical miles round the world challenge. French time)

1. Jérémie Beyou, Charal —> with 24,269 miles to go
2. Charlie Dalin, Apivia —> 0.7 miles from the leader
3. Alex Thomson, HUGO BOSS —> 1.2 miles from the leader
4. Thomas Ruyant, LinkedOut —> 1.2 miles from the leader
5. Boris Herrmann, SeaExplorer - Yacht Club de Monaco —> 2.2. miles from the leader

Source: Vendée Globe