Sailing: 70 days of solitude: Vendée Globe launches

The toughest circumnavigation for soloists begins. In the weeks leading up to the start of the Vendée Globe on Sunday (1:02 p.m.) hundreds of thousands of fans will flock to the port town of Les Sables-d’Olonne on the Atlantic, which has a population of almost 50,000, and the Race Village. At the pre-Corona edition in 2016/2017, around 2.25 million visitors came to the start and finish. The German sailing star Boris Herrmann is competing for the second time after finishing fifth at his premiere in 2020/2021. The 43-year-old is one of the podium candidates with the “Malizia – Seaexplorer”.

How many sailors are taking part?

The largest Vendée Globe fleet to date arrives at the starting line. There are 40 boats. 34 men and six women take on the challenge of a non-stop solo around the world without outside help. 14 starters come from outside France. Three Swiss, Oliver Heer, Alan Roura and Justine Mettraux, make up the largest non-French contingent. The youngest participant, aged 23, is the Frenchwoman Violetta Dorange (“Devenir”). The oldest starter is her compatriot Jean Le Cam (65) in his sixth participation.

Which boats do you sail with?

Boats of the Imoca type (short for: International Monohull Open Class Association) are sailed. Her hull length is limited to 18.28 meters (60 feet) and the width to a maximum of 5.85 meters. The mast may not be higher than 29 meters and the keel may not be deeper than 4.50 meters. The majority of Vendée Globe Imocas sail with foils. The youngest projectiles were launched in 2023, the oldest is 19 years old. Up to 35,000 hours of work go into developing a new boat, and up to 50,000 hours of construction time are required.

Which course do the sailors have to master?

The Vendée Globe challenges its participants on the classic fast route around the world over 24,300 nautical miles (45,000 kilometers) – without stopping: From Les Sables-d’Olonne, the route first goes south down the Atlantic. The route leads in the Southern Ocean past the three big capes: Cape of Good Hope (South Africa), Cape Leeuwin (Australia) and Cape Horn (Chile). Once you have passed the most famous landmark, you head back up the Atlantic to the start and destination port. Depending on the wind and weather, the best races are expected to last around 70 days.

Who was the fastest sailor so far?

Armel Le Cléac’h has held the record since 2017 with 74 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes and 46 seconds.

What is the story of the race?

Only 200 challengers have started since the premiere. 114 also reached the finish line. So far the race has only crowned French winners. Michel Desjoyeaux was the only one to win the Vendée Globe twice, in 2000/2001 and 2008/2009. As defending champion, Yannick Bestaven is also at the start of the 10th edition.

Who are the German starters?

At the age of 43, Boris Herrmann is starting his second Vendée Globe with “Malizia – Seaexplorer” under the German flag. At the premiere he missed out on a secure podium place after a dramatic collision with a fishing boat the previous night and finished in fifth place. In addition to Herrmann, the German-French Isabelle Joschke (47), who was born in Munich, is also on her second solo tour around the world. The “Macsf” skipper had to give up at her premiere four years ago due to severe keel damage.

Who are Herrmann’s biggest competitors?

All four top favorites are French: Charlie Dalin (“Macif Santé Prévoyance”), Thomas Ruyant (“Vulnerable”), Yoann Richomme (“Paprec Arkéa”) and Jérémie Beyou (“Charal”). Herrmann and the Brits Samantha Davies (“Initiatives-Cœur”) and Sam Goodchild (“Vulnerable”) and other candidates are also expected to win or take podium places.