The Vendée Globe – Round The World Yacht Race, often referred to as the “Everest of the Seas,” stands as the pinnacle of solo sailing. This non-stop, round-the-world yacht race pushes sailors to the limit, testing not only their sailing skills but also their endurance and resilience. With no assistance allowed, competitors must rely entirely on their own abilities, navigating some of the world’s most treacherous waters.
The race follows the path of the iconic Golden Globe, first held in 1968. That year, only one of the nine competitors made it back to the finish line. British sailor Robin Knox-Johnston achieved the first solo, non-stop circumnavigation, completing the journey in 313 days. Inspired by this feat, French navigator Philippe Jeantot, who had already won the BOC Challenge (a solo round-the-world race with stopovers) twice, envisioned a more extreme challenge—one without stops. And so, the Vendée Globe was born.
The first Vendée Globe set sail on 26th November 1989, with 13 sailors taking on the daring challenge. The race lasted over three months, and only seven competitors made it back to Les Sables d’Olonne, France. The race’s legacy has since grown, with nine editions held, each a testament to human courage and perseverance. Over 200 sailors have started the Vendée Globe, but only 114 have finished—highlighting the incredible difficulty of this circumnavigation.
The journey spans 24,300 miles (about 45,000 kilometres) and takes sailors through the world’s most formidable waters, including the notorious Great Southern Ocean. Competitors must pass the three great capes: Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn. Along the way, they face freezing temperatures, towering waves, and isolation. It’s more than just a physical challenge—it’s a mental one too, requiring competitors to dig deep into their personal reserves to survive and thrive.
Since its inception, the Vendée Globe has seen some of the most renowned sailors cross its finish line. Notable champions include Titouan Lamazou (1990), Christophe Auguin (1997), Vincent Riou (2005), François Gabart (2013), and Yannick Bestaven (2021). Armel Le Cléac’h holds the race record, completing the 2017 race in an astonishing 74 days, while Michel Desjoyeaux remains the only sailor to have won the Vendée Globe twice, in 2001 and 2009.
The upcoming 10th edition of the Vendée Globe is set to begin on Sunday, 10th November 2024, and excitement is building. Among the competitors is Kiwi skipper Conrad Colman, who will be racing in his second Vendée Globe. Colman’s determination and skill make him a sailor to watch, and we’ll be following his journey closely as he takes on this monumental challenge once again.
The Course: A Planetary Voyage
The Vendée Globe covers a theoretical distance of 24,300 miles, but the actual distance sailed often exceeds 28,000 miles (52,000 kilometres) due to the unpredictable nature of the sea. The race begins in Les Sables d’Olonne, France, during mid-autumn. Sailors must navigate their way down the Atlantic, across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and then back up the Atlantic to the finish line.
The sailors must contend with the ever-changing conditions of the ocean—winds, swells, waves, and even ice. Their routes are anything but straight, filled with zigzags, detours, and course changes as they seek the best weather and wind conditions.
For those following the 2024-2025 edition, expect a thrilling mix of tactical racing and survival in the most hostile environments on earth. With Conrad Colman representing New Zealand (and the US, his Mum is a kiwi and his dad is US), the excitement will be even greater as we cheer him on through every leg of this epic adventure.
As the Vendée Globe sets sail again, we look forward to witnessing remarkable stories of human endurance, determination, and passion for the sea. Stay tuned as we follow Conrad and the rest of the fleet on this incredible journey around the world.
