Adélie embodies the family-friendly and accessible dimension of the Vendée Globe, while conveying a strong message about ocean preservation.
Terre-Adélie, where this species of penguin is found, is part of the TAAF, the French Southern and Antarctic Lands - an ocean partner of the event - as are the Crozet and Kerguelen archipelagos, the Saint-Paul and Amsterdam islands, and the Éparses islands. These archipelagos have a strong link with the Vendée Globe: the ship Marion Dufresne, used to supply the TAAF scientific bases, has been involved on numerous occasions in rescue operations for Vendée Globe skippers in difficulty in this region.
The Terre-Adélie district has no inhabitants, but scientists work there around the clock, supported by technical staff from the French Polar Institute (logisticians, cooks, plumbers, electricians, machine operators, etc.) and the TAAF (district manager, telecom technicians and doctors). On the other hand, there are plenty of penguins! Several articles will be dedicated to this species in the "Ocean" section of the race website, to raise awareness of the threats posed by global warming.
