Vendée Globe 2024: a record-breaking start awaits

The legendary non-stop, non-assisted, single-handed round-the-world race, the Vendée Globe, is celebrating its 10th edition. This Sunday, November 10, the skippers will set sail from the port of Les Sables d’Olonne for an adventure at sea lasting more than two months. Yannick Bestaven, victorious in 2020-2021, will be looking to repeat his feat, but he’ll be up against some formidable competition in this unique race.

A record number of participants and international competition

Since its first edition with just 13 boats at the start, the Vendée Globe has come a long way. This year, no fewer than 40 skippers will attempt to circumnavigate the globe, an all-time record for the event. For the first time, the competition will see the participation of a Chinese skipper, Jingkun Xu, while six women will also take the start, ready to take up the challenge in a competition that is increasingly open to the international scene.

A legendary course and restrictions to protect biodiversity

The course for this year’s race remains unchanged: skippers will cross the Bay of Biscay, sail down the Atlantic, and round the three legendary capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin, and Horn) before heading back up towards Les Sables d’Olonne. However, biodiversity protection zones have been set up to avoid collisions with marine mammals and guarantee a race that respects marine megafauna, as Vendée Globe president Alain Leboeuf points out.

Towards a new record under 70 days?

The 74-day record held by Armel Le Cléac’h since the 2016-2017 edition could well be under threat. With favorable weather conditions and increasingly high-performance boats, some skippers are hoping to complete this round-the-world race in close to 70 days. Among them, Charlie Dalin (MACIF) believes that this time is achievable, although it is not a priority objective.

Women in the spotlight: a women’s record in sight?

Four years ago, Clarisse Crémer made history by becoming the first woman to cross the finish line in 87 days, beating Ellen MacArthur’s women’s record. Today, she believes that one of her team-mates could do even better. “It’s not a personal goal, but I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the six of us broke the record,” she confided, adding that the women’s ranking remains unofficial in this mixed sport.

With a record number of participants, an increasingly open race and more high-performance boats, the Vendée Globe 2024 promises to be a historic edition where challenges and maritime exploits promise to captivate enthusiasts around the world.