9th Vendée Globe 2020/21 > next race: 7 Nov’24 – 19 Jan’25

RESPECT for all those hero skippers, braving the toughest seas this planet has to offer – singlehandedly, on their own, nobody but themselves, sailing around the world through three capes, as fast as they can! This iconic yacht race happens only every four years, starting off and finishing in France at Les Sables d’Ollones on the Atlantic Coast. The journey is 21,638 miles (40,075km) long, or 24.000 nautical miles, long and the record to have sailed the route past the 3 capes of Good Hope (South Africa), then clockwise around Antarctica, followed by Leeuwin (Australia) & Horn (Southern Chile), without stopping! The record is held by Frenchmen Armel le Cleac’h, who was out at sea in 2017 for 74 days, 3hrs and 35mins – wow, what an achievement!

We love the fact that it is such an international race and that, in 2020, more women than ever registered and took part! We are not short of female courage – girls, we salute you! Considering that the Vendée Globe is seen as an extreme quest of endurance and the ultimate test in ocean racing, we are amazed by the sheer skill and willpower the men & women have to dig into over a period of 2 1/2 months or so.

The stories of companionship in this race are simply incredible. For instance: in the 1996/97 race, the British yachtsmen Pete Goss risked his own life when he turned back into a hurricane in the Southern Ocean to rescue French skipper Raphael Dinelli, for which he was awarded France’s highest honour, the Legion d’Honneur. There are countless stories, where yachtsmen were there for each other, despite the pressure of having to race against each other – where humanity won over competitiveness, and they just touch your hearts! Plans for the race in 2024/25 are already underway, the race is that popular, despite the incredible exposure to all kinds of dangers.

Watch the video to learn about the adventure of a lifetime…

Vendée Globe – Sailing Around The World Single Handedly

Coming to a close on 5th March 2021 the final yacht pulls in across the finishing line at Les Sables-d’Olonne, the 9th edition of the Vendée Globe is over. 24 296 miles of racing around the globe, single-handedly, is won by Yannick Bestaven a French offshore sailor, completing ‘the Everest of the seas’ in an impressive 80 days. The race this year (2020-2021) saw a record number of starters, with 33 participants, but even more exciting were the numbers of women taking part this year!

A record Six female competitors entered the Vendée Globe for the 9th edition. Sparking an interest in this harrowingly dangerous and extraordinary race for young, female sailors. Held every 4 years, the hope is to see more and more women take part. All eyes now turn to 2024.

9th Edition of the Vendée Globe

The 2020/21 race welcomed starters from various countries around the globe, as more and more skippers take an interest in this extreme show of strength and vulnerability.

Countries of participants:

• Great Britain
• Switzerland
• France
• Germany
• Finland
• Spain
• Italy
• Japan
• Australia

The 9th edition saw three Frenchman take 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place:

1st – Yannick Bestaven (FRA)
2nd – Charlie Dalin (FRA)
3rd – Louis Burton (FRA)

Notably, Clarisse Crémer, a French professional sailor, came 12th place breaking the world record for a single-handed, non-stop, monohull circumnavigation by a woman. She completed the race in 87 days, 2 hours, and 24 minutes. One for the girls!

The History of the Vendée Globe

Founded in 1989 by Philippe Jeantot and named after the Department of Vendée, where the race starts and ends, the Vendée Globe is a single handed (solo), non-stop round the world yacht race. Sounds terrifying – we know! With no assistance the participants are opting to subject themselves to some frankly frightening conditions; gigantic waves, freezing winds and rain, and heavy skies.

Courage and determination are what drive these brave individuals to tackle what is nicknamed ‘The Everest of the seas.’ In 1989 13 sailors took to the seas to open the first edition of this sporting quest. Over in 3 months, but unfortunately only 7 sailors were able to return to Les Sables d’Olonne. Indicating just how brutal the conditions and the race itself can be.

The Vendée Globe is considered the ultimate test in ocean racing. You’ve certainly got to be a brave sailor to take on the challenge.
Looking Forward to 2024

With more enthusiasm and excitement around the Vendée Globe than ever before, 2024 looks set to be bigger and better than ever. The 10th edition of the race already has interest from budding and eager solo skippers, formulating their plans to start the race in November 2024, to seasoned and weathered yachtsmen/women, who need to prove themselves one more time.

One thing we are really hoping to see from the next edition of the Vendée Globe is the introduction of more and more female solo sailors ready to take on this incredible challenge – We’re all for girl power here at TA-DAH.TV!