Titouan Lamazou
Winner of the first edition (1989-1990)
“The Vendée Globe is permanently seared into our collective memory."
“I think it’s fantastic, really exceptional that a race like the Vendée Globe generates so much enthusiasm. Eight days before the start of the 1st edition, literally no one knew about it. Gradually, interest grew until the finish where there were thousands of people here, it was talked about in all the media. Thirty-five years later, even if technology and communication have completely changed, the fundamentals are still the same. They are still boats, propelled by the wind, steered by solo skippers who have to go around the world non stop. This is also what explains why it has remained the most important race. The Vendée Globe is permanently seared into our collective memory."
Alain GautieR
Winner of the 2nd edition (1991-1992)
"an extraordinary adventure"
"The first edition took place 35 years ago. We wrote these pages of history, there were great stories, incredible moments in our lives. It's really nice that this race has continued in such a beautiful way. What works is the form of simplicity: the idea of doing a solo round the world with no stops. It's easy to say, much less so to actually do it. Even if the progress of technology and communication have made things a bit different compared to the first editions, it is still an extraordinary adventure. The world has evolved, so the fleet, the boats, the sailors have evolved. It has become much more professional but this 10th edition still promises to be incredible."
Yves Parlier
Three participations (4th in 1992-1993, retirement in 1996-1997, 13th in 2000-2001)
"an incredible privilege"
"When we say that this is already the 10th Vendée Globe, a quick calculation shows that I now have already missed quite a few editions! I can see the many advances in naval architecture, it has progressed at great speed. To get here, where we are in only ten editions is quite extraordinary. This is a sport that has come a long way and has reached full maturity. And all this is happening in France, it's crazy. We could have dreamed of having boats with such architecture but we hadn't imagined that it would arrive so quickly, it's quite great to be around to witness this. Personally, it’s really an adventure that I miss. What I miss is going out to sea, going around our planet, taking on a pace so different from land, experiencing a communion between your boat and the elements. In the end, you wash away a bit of everything: when you come back, you’re a bit of a wild animal and it’s an incredible privilege that few people get to experience.”
Catherine Chabot
One participation (6th in 1996-1997)
“an extremely powerful experience”
“The Vendée Globe is about slices of life. It has left a lasting mark on the lives of those who have competed in it. For 28 years now, I have been marked by this Vendée Globe to which I owe a lot. It gave me the energy to believe in my dreams, to commit myself to the ocean and it also allowed me to meet a lot of people, including my husband! Taking part in the Vendée Globe is an extremely powerful experience. Well done to Philippe Jeantot for bringing it to life in the beginning, well done to all those who are keeping it going at the moment. I am amazed by the number of boats currently, by the enthusiasm that is so palpable. If the magic is still there, it is because the experiences that the skippers live are so powerful that we would all like to live that. When you are passionate about ocean racing, you tell yourself that it is the ultimate challenge. The Vendée Globe is unique and we go around the planet. We sail in the Southern Ocean, with the albatrosses, we round Cape Horn and we explore our own potential. These are ordinary people who do something extraordinary.”
Thierry Dubois
Two participations (1996-1997, 2000-2001)
“the ultimate challenge, all sports combined”
“It’s great to see that the story continues, that the race gets stronger with each edition. We were able to do it because Philippe Jeantot created it and they can do it because we maintained it by allowing the boats to develop. The Vendée Globe is a real challenge, the ultimate challenge in all sports. Who spends almost three months competing? It makes the general public dream and even us, as a former skipper, it intrigues and impresses us, especially aboard the current foilers. What interests me is the technological development of the boats and fine-tuning them, I miss that a little."
Michel Desjoyeaux
Winner of the 4th (2000-2001) and the 6th edition (2008-2009),
"we're going to have fun again"
"Luckily it's every four years otherwise we would have had heart problems! I just always wanted to do this race, it's what I loved. Each edition is particularly rich and we're going to have another great time this winter. The skippers are going faster and faster and it's taking less and less time: it's a shame because we don't enjoy it for as long! There's a great line-up with boats that have evolved a lot, that are more and more spectacular, fast and technological. As someone who prefers technique to competition, I can only be satisfied with that! They all deserve a lot of credit for being at the start. We forget that it is an achievement to set up a project, find money, put together a team, keep a boat in good condition... I usually say that 80% is already done before the start and when you know how tough the race is, the 80% is also very hard. Luckily you don't do it alone!"
Roland Jourdain
Three participations (3rd in 2000-2001, retirement in 2004-2005 and in 2008-2009),
"the very pinnacle of what we do best"
"When you think that it is already the 10th edition, and reflect that I knew it when I was young, that I grew up with it and that it is good (laughs)! Really though I am not really aware of being part of this great story, I don’t flatter myself with that idea. I know what the Vendée Globe has brought me. It’s a slice of my life, fundamentals that then allowed me to move on to other initiatives and that shaped who I am today. Today, the race is ultra-optimized, sophisticated, perfected. It’s the pinnacle of what we do best in ocean racing in terms of design, construction, and navigation. At the same time, I wonder about the meaning of all this, pushing the limits of projects on a planet that has exceeded its limits. I think we’re at a turning point and we need to keep an eye on this issue. But that doesn’t stop me from admiring what these athletes are going to do!”
Marc Guillemot
Two participations (3rd in 2008-2009, retirement in 2012-2013)
“what makes you tick are the adventures”
“Each race makes more and more sailors want to do it. We see from edition to edition that there are many more of them and that it attracts new partners. It’s the magic of the Vendée Globe that draws an incredible number of people into the world of the sea and far beyond. I’m astounded to see the number of people queuing on the pontoons since the village opened. Coming back here, I didn't think I would feel anything special. But seeing the boats again really touches me. Compared to everything I've experienced in these Vendée Globes, the mental state you have to have at the start brings up a lot of emotions. Sometimes you feel like you're strong because you're going around the world, but then you become quite fragile when faced with the immensity. The competition is great, but what really gets you going are the adventures. There aren't many events with as much magic."
