A record number, even before the first stages of this Vendée Globe: 40. There will be forty skippers on the starting line in Les Sables-d’Olonne this Sunday at midday, hoping to complete their solo round the world trip, without stopovers or assistance and by the three reference leaders (Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn), at the end of a journey of 24,300 miles, or 45,000 km. And, for the best, dream of imitating Yannick Bestaven, winner in 2021, or even Armel Le Cléac’h, winner in 2017 and record holder of the event in 74 days, 3 hours and 35 minutes.
For this tenth edition, 15 of the 40 registered skippers will line up in their first Vendée Globe. The fleet has only one former winner, Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq). Rochelais won four years ago after a journey full of twists marked in particular by a departure in the midst of the Covid epidemic and by a diversion after the shipwreck of sailor Kevin Escoffier, which allowed him to benefit from a bonus of 10:15 of the morning and finally overtake Charlie Dalin, who had arrived before him.
The latest winner is in the running for the double, although other skippers seem a little more armed, such as Dalin (Macif), Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable) and Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa), who have shared all the victories in the regattas preparation.
The Vendée Globe has always been won by a Frenchman, but this time three foreigners could make history: the German Boris Herrmann (Malizia – SeaExplorer) and the English Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) and Samantha Davies (Initatives-Coeur). In total, a record 11 nationalities will be represented – up from 9 in 2020 – for a new peak in internationalisation, attracting 14 foreign skippers, or more than a third of the fleet, to symbolize this growing openness.
Violette Dorange (Devenir), 23 years old and the youngest in the field, is one of the six women registered, an identical number to the previous edition. For his part, Jean le Cam (It all begins in Finistère – Armor-Lux), 65 years old, is the oldest skipper. “King Jean” will compete in his 6th Vendée Globe, thus improving the score of the British Alex Thomson, five editions under the time. The arrival of the first competitors in Les Sables-d’Olonne is scheduled for mid-January 2025.
The full list of 40 contestants (in alphabetical order):
Fabrice Amedeo (France, Nexans-Wewise)
Romain Attanasio (France, Fortinet – Best Western)
Éric Bellion (France, Stand as one)
Yannick Bestaven (France, Maître Coq V)
Jérémie Beyou (France, Charal)
Arnaud Boissières (France, La Mie Câline)
Louis Burton (France, Bureau Vallée)
Conrad Colman (New Zealand/USA, MS Amlin)
Antoine Cornic (France, Human real estate)
Manuel Cousin (France, Coup de Pouce)
Clarisse Crémer (France
Charlie Dalin (France, Macif Santé Prévoyance)
Samantha Davies (UK, Initiatives-coeur)
Violette Dorange (France, Becoming)
Louis Duc (France, Fives Group – Lantana Environnement)
Benjamin Dutreux (France, Guyot Environnement – Water Family)
Benjamin Ferré (France, Duo for work)
Sam Goodchild (UK, vulnerable)
Pip Hare (UK, Medal)
Oliver Heer (Switzerland, Tut Gut.)
Boris Herrmann (Germany, SeaExplorer)
Isabelle Joschke (France/Germany, MACSF)
Jean Le Cam (France, It all begins in Finistère – Armor-Lux)
Tanguy Le Turquais (France, Lazare)
Nicolas Lunven (France, Holcim – PRB)
Sébastien Marsset (France, Foussier)
Paul Meilhat (France, Biotherm)
Justine Mettraux (Switzerland, Teamwork-Team SNEF)
Giancarlo Pedote (Italy, Prysmian)
Yoann Richomme (France, Paprec Arkéa)
Alan Roura (Switzerland, Hublot)
Thomas Ruyant (France, Vulnerable)
Damien Seguin (France, Apicil)
Kojiro Shiraishi (Japan, DMG Mori Global One)
Sébastien Simon (France, Dubreuil Group)
Maxime Sorel (France, V and B – Monbana – Mayenne)
Guirec Soudée (France, Freelance.com)
Denis Van Weynbergh (Belgium, D’Ieteren Group)
Szabolcs Weöres (Hungary, New Europe)
Jingkun Xu (China, Singchain Team Haikou)
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Vendée Globe Expert
Editor: Welcome to our special edition of Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with sailing expert and ocean racing authority, Dr. Emily Harper. Emily, it’s thrilling to discuss the upcoming Vendée Globe, especially with such an impressive number of participants this year. A record 40 skippers are set to compete! What’s your take on this remarkable turnout?
Dr. Harper: Thank you for having me! Yes, the fact that we have 40 skippers is nothing short of extraordinary. It reflects not only the growing popularity of the Vendée Globe but also the increasing professionalism and preparation among sailors. This race is famously grueling, requiring immense skill, resilience, and dedication, so it’s exciting to see so many brave competitors ready to undertake this challenge.
Editor: Speaking of challenges, over a third of this year’s fleet are foreign competitors, marking a new peak in international participation. How significant is this in the context of sailing and competitive races?
Dr. Harper: It’s incredibly significant! Traditionally, the Vendée Globe has been dominated by French sailors, but to see participants from 11 different nationalities this year indicates a shift toward inclusivity and international representation in the sport. It opens paths for collaboration and learning among sailors, and we might see new strategies and techniques unfold as diverse sailing styles come into play.
Editor: Among the competitors, we have a mix of seasoned veterans and newcomers, including first-time entrants. With 15 skippers experiencing their first Vendée Globe, how do you think they will fare in such a demanding race?
Dr. Harper: The first-timers are certainly entering a steep learning curve. While they may have impressive resumes from other sailing competitions, nothing quite compares to the Vendée Globe’s unique challenges—long solo nights at sea, unpredictable weather patterns, and the mental fortitude required to stay focused for over two months. However, this edition has the benefit of seasoned sailors sharing insights, which could greatly assist the newcomers.
Editor: That’s a great point. And what do you make of Yannick Bestaven returning with the hope of winning again? He faced several unexpected challenges in 2021, yet he emerged victorious.
Dr. Harper: Yannick is a formidable sailor, and his ability to adapt and thrive during high-pressure situations was evident in the last race. He’s not just experienced; he’s resilient and strategic. However, while he’s certainly a strong contender for a second win, skippers like Charlie Dalin and Thomas Ruyant have shown exceptional performance in recent regattas. It will be fascinating to see if Bestaven can reclaim his title amid such fierce competition.
Editor: With all this talk of strategy, we also need to mention the youngest and oldest competitors: Violette Dorange at 23 and Jean le Cam at 65. How does their age difference influence their approach to the race?
Dr. Harper: Age in sailing often reflects different experiences and perspectives. Violette, being the youngest, may bring fresh energy and innovative tactics, while Jean le Cam carries a wealth of knowledge and a profound understanding of the sea’s demands. Each might excel in different areas—Violette may adapt quickly to advancing technology, while Jean may have the edge in navigation and intuition gained from years at sea. Together, they embody the spirit of the Vendée Globe: it’s about the journey more than just winning.
Editor: Before we wrap up, what do you think the overall impact of the increasing diversity and participation in the Vendée Globe is on the future of ocean racing?
Dr. Harper: This is a promising trend. Increased diversity not only enriches the competition but also inspires the next generation of sailors from various backgrounds. As more individuals see representation in high-profile events, it can encourage young sailors globally to pursue their dreams in sailing. Furthermore, this diversity can drive innovation, pushing the boundaries of sailing technology and tactics, ultimately elevating the sport as a whole.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Harper, for sharing your insights on this exciting event. We can’t wait to see how this year’s Vendée Globe unfolds!
Dr. Harper: My pleasure! I’m looking forward to the race and will be eagerly following the journeys of all the skippers. It’s going to be a thrilling ride!