Because of the health crisis the village was largely closed to the public and then it had to be accepted that the skippers would pass out a channel empty of supporters at the start. However, while many sporting events were cancelled or put on hold, the Vendée Globe found a safe way to be run. The skippers set off, behind their screens the there was a massive public interest and the drama, interest and excitement was maintained day in day out at high level all the way through the race.
At the start of the race, an intertropical storm, Theta, shook up the hierarchy. Some boats with straight daggerboards - Jean Le Cam (Yes We Cam) and Benjamin Dutreux (OMIA Water Family) - managed to cross it among the leading positions. A favourite turned back (Jérémie Beyou, Charal), an podium outsider lost his mast (Nicolas Troussel, Corum L’Epargne) before Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss), the early, consistent leader at the start of the race had to retire in the South Atlantic.
And then everything changed at the Cape of Good Hope on 30 November. Kevin Escoffier's boat (PRB), then 3rd, broke in two and sank in minutes. Immediately, the four closest skippers diverted to come to his aid. The search lasted 12 hours before Jean le Cam finally managed to rescue Escoffier. Six days later, the sailor was transferred from Le Cam’s boat to the frigate Nivôse. The Vendée Globe jury then decided to award compensation to those who had diverted. Meantime Sébastien Simon (ARKEA PAPREC) who abandoned (collision with a UFO) as well as Samantha Davies (Initiatives Cœur), Fabrice Amedeo (Newrest – Art & Fenêtres) and later Isabelle Joschke (MACSF).
In the Southern Ocean, at Macquarie Island Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée) climbed the mast three times to repair his mainsail track and J2 halyard hook system, Thomas Ruyant (LinkedOut) had to deal with losing his port foil and Yannick Bestaven took the lead at Cape Horn ahead of Charlie Dalin. The Atlantic climb was a cliffhanger all the way with successive regroupings at the front of the fleet. There were four of them super close with each other crossing within four hours at the equator, there were eight of them crossing the finish line within 24 hours, something never seen before! In the final rush, Charlie Dalin crossed the line in the lead. But the victory went to Yannick Bestaven, 3rd on the line but who was a regular leader in the south, losing out at the cold front off Brasil before making spirited final attack from the north in Biscay which ultimately landed him the win. Germany’s Boris Herrmann (Malizia Seaexplorer) was a top contender in the title battle but hit a fishing boat 90 miles from the finish and dropped to fifth overall. After time compensation, Charlie Dalin was finally 2nd, Louis Burton climbed onto the podium (3rd) and Jean Le Cam took an incredible 4th place. After falling into Charlie Dalin's arms, the trophy in hand, Yannick Bestaven confided in him: "there are two winners in this race but in four years, it will be yours".
