The Vendée Globe never fails to deliver when it comes to drama, endurance, and the raw spirit of solo ocean racing. As the fleet continues its relentless push towards the finish line, the past 48 hours have seen yet another sailor fall victim to the race’s punishing conditions, while others have finally crossed the line after gruelling months at sea.
Arnaud Boissier dismasts off Cape Verde
For French skipper Arnaud Boissier, the race came to an abrupt end when his yacht suffered a catastrophic dismasting in over 20 knots of wind off Cape Verde. Ranked 27th at the time, the Miquelin skipper was forced to abandon his dream of completing the race, joining a growing list of competitors who have been forced to retire.
A clearly devastated Boissier managed to secure his boat and confirm his safety, but his frustration was evident.
“Oh, I’ve just dismasted. What a pain. My Vendée Globe has ended right here. Shit.”
The Vendée Globe is renowned for pushing sailors and their boats to the absolute limit. Boissier’s dismasting is yet another reminder that even in the latter stages of the race, no one is safe from the unpredictable forces of the ocean.
Boris Herrmann claims 12th place after an 80-day ordeal
For German sailor Boris Herrmann, finishing the Vendée Globe was a battle of endurance. After 80 days alone at sea, he crossed the finish line in 12th place at 23:18 local time on a stormy Wednesday night. His race was marked by brutal conditions, including a harrowing passage past Cape Finisterre.
“I had 65 knots of wind and 10-metre waves at Cape Finisterre, a few breakers that knocked the boat over, a torn mainsail, a broken foil… It was extremely intense at the end. At least we weren’t bored!”
Despite finishing 15 days behind race winner Charlie Dalin, Herrmann’s resilience in overcoming mechanical failures and extreme weather is a testament to the sheer determination required to complete this legendary race.
Sam Davies finally completes her second Vendée Globe
British sailor Sam Davies secured 13th place, crossing the finish line at 11:15 after an emotional journey spanning nearly three months. This marks her second Vendée Globe finish in four attempts, a feat that she has been striving to achieve since 2009.
“I’ve been waiting for this since 2009. I’m thrilled to have finally completed a second Vendée Globe. It’s incredible. Yes, it was a bit harder at the end and a bit longer than I’d imagined, but that’s all part of the Vendée Globe adventure. You never know what’s going to happen right up to the finish line.”
The final stretch proved especially brutal for Davies, as she battled through storm-force winds and relentless waves. But as any Vendée Globe veteran knows, every sailor must expect the unexpected.
“The last few days were mega tough, but simply incredible.”
The ever-unforgiving Vendée Globe
With multiple sailors still at sea, the race is far from over. Every skipper left in the fleet faces the daily challenge of unpredictable weather, mechanical failures, and exhaustion. Boissier’s dismasting is a stark reminder of the fine line between triumph and disaster in this race. Meanwhile, Herrmann and Davies’s hard-earned finishes showcase the resilience that defines Vendée Globe competitors.
As the remaining sailors battle their way home, one thing is certain—this edition of the Vendée Globe will be remembered for its relentless challenges and extraordinary displays of human endurance.
