Dive into the heart of the Vendée Globe, the greatest solo sailing adventure. Follow the skippers’ rankings in real time, discover their highlights, and experience their daily challenges aboard their boats. Storms, self-transcendence, and exclusive anecdotes await you here.
Don’t miss the decisive maneuvers and daily life moments of the ocean heroes throughout this legendary round-the-world race.
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History of the Vendée Globe
The Vendée Globe, nicknamed the “Everest of the Seas,” is a sailboat race that, since its first edition in 1989, has become one of the most iconic and demanding events in the nautical world. Solo, non-stop, and without assistance, this round-the-world race has captivated the collective imagination by pushing the limits of navigation and highlighting the incredible determination of the sailors who take part.
Origins of the Vendée Globe
The idea for the Vendée Globe originated from the legendary British Golden Globe race of 1968, the very first solo, non-stop round-the-world race. This race was won by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, but it also left a sense of unfinished business, with only one competitor completing the race. Among the enthusiasts who followed this adventure, Philippe Jeantot, a French sailor and double winner of the BOC Challenge (solo but with stopovers), saw the potential for an even more demanding race: a solo, non-stop, and unassisted round-the-world voyage.
With the support of the Vendée department, the first edition of the Vendée Globe was launched in 1989, with thirteen participants starting from Les Sables-d’Olonne, in Vendée. Of these thirteen skippers, only seven managed to complete this nearly 24,000-nautical-mile journey around the world. It was the French sailor Titouan Lamazou who won on March 15, 1990, after 109 days at sea, inaugurating a long line of exceptional sailors.
An Extraordinary Race
The uniqueness of the Vendée Globe lies in its rules: skippers must sail alone, without being able to dock or receive any external assistance, even in the event of equipment failure. This gives the race not only a sporting dimension but also an exceptional human and technical challenge. The skippers find themselves isolated for months, often in the most extreme conditions, particularly when crossing the southern seas, known for their storms and giant waves.
Over the editions, the race has seen many remarkable stories, with records broken, tragedies at sea, but also tales of solidarity among competitors. Armel Le Cléac’h, the winner in 2016-2017, crossed the finish line in 74 days, setting a new record.
Heroes of the Vendée Globe
Each edition of the Vendée Globe has highlighted extraordinary sailors. From Michel Desjoyeaux, the only skipper to have won the race twice (2001 and 2009), to Ellen MacArthur, who made history in 2000 by finishing second at just 24 years old, the faces of the Vendée Globe are as varied as their journeys. The race has also known tragedies, such as the disappearance at sea of the British sailor Nigel Burgess in 1992, reminding us of the harshness and inherent dangers of this event.
In 2020, during the edition marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was Yannick Bestaven who won the race after 80 days at sea, with a thrilling finale where the gaps were measured in just a few hours—a rarity in such a long race.
The Vendée Globe Today
Today, the Vendée Globe is followed by millions of enthusiasts around the world. Each edition sees increasingly high-performance boats, from the IMOCA class, and skippers who are ever more technically and mentally prepared. Modern technologies allow fans to follow the skippers’ progress in real time on interactive maps and receive news directly from the boats, thanks to videos and messages sent via satellite.
While the race remains a trial for sailors, it is also a rendezvous for sailing and human adventure enthusiasts. The Vendée Globe, more than just a race, has become a myth, with each edition writing a new page in history.
Roll of Honor of Previous Vendée Globe Editions
Here is a summary table of the Vendée Globe, including information from the various editions up to 2020:
| Edition | Number of Entrants | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Disappearances / Incidents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989-1990 | 13 | Titouan Lamazou | Loïck Peyron | Jean-Luc Van Den Heede | Rescue of Philippe Poupon by Loïck Peyron |
| 1992-1993 | 15 | Alain Gautier | Jean-Luc Van Den Heede | Philippe Poupon | Disappearance of Mike Plant, Nigel Burgess |
| 1996-1997 | 15 | Christophe Auguin | Marc Thiercelin | Hervé Laurent | Shipwreck of Raphaël Dinelli, disappearance of Roufs |
| 2000-2001 | 24 | Michel Desjoyeaux | Ellen MacArthur | Roland Jourdain | Dismasting of Parlier |
| 2004-2005 | 20 | Vincent Riou | Jean Le Cam | Mike Golding | Moloney finishes out of the race |
| 2008-2009 | 30 | Michel Desjoyeaux | Armel Le Cléac’h | Marc Guillemot | 7 withdrawals |
| 2012-2013 | 20 | François Gabart | Armel Le Cléac’h | Alex Thomson | |
| 2016-2017 | 29 | Armel Le Cléac’h | Alex Thomson | Jérémie Beyou | Kito de Pavant withdraws |
| 2020-2021 | 33 | Yannick Bestaven | Charlie Dalin | Louis Burton | Rescue of Kevin Escoffier |