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The Vendée Globe is a legendary race which is celebrating its 10th edition in 2024!

The Vendée Globe is a single-handed, non-stop, non-assisted round-the-world sailing race that takes place every four years. It is contested on IMOCA monohulls, which are 18 metres long. The skippers set off from Les Sables-d'Olonne in Vendée and sail around 45,000 kilometres around the globe, rounding the three legendary capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin and finally Cape Horn) before returning to Les Sables d'Olonne. The race has acquired an international reputation, attracting skippers from all over the world. Beyond the competition, it is above all an incredible human adventure.

globe terrestre avec un filtre bleu foncé

What is the Vendée Globe ?

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The legend Vendée globe since 1989

The legend

In 2024, the race celebrates its 10th edition! Each edition has been marked by unique stories that have shaped the legend of this race. Edition by edition, relive the great moments of the Vendée Globe since its creation.

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Yannick Bestaven brandissant son trophée de vainqueur

The last edition

An unprecedented health context, some fog on the line, Kevin Escoffier’s rescue, an unfavorable weather system for speed, the panache of daggerboard boats, close racing conditions on the three oceans, the game of compensated time … The 9th edition of the Vendée Globe followed an unusual and captivating scenario!

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Représentation 3D d'un Imoca, de profil un peu en contreplongé. La voile avant et la coque sont rouge, la Grand voile bleue avec l'inscription #VG2024

The boat

The boats of the Vendée Globe all measure 18,28 m long (60 feet) for a 4,50 draught. With a large sail area, they are the most powerful monohulls of the planet led by a solo skipper. They can nearly reach 40 knots downwind at top speed. The gauge of these racing machines is defined by the IMOCA class (International Monohull Open Class Association), founded in 1991 and supported by World Sailing, the International Sailing Federation.

parcours des courses qualificatives

How to participate

The 10th edition of the Vendée Globe promises to be exceptional. In 2024, 40 skippers are expected to take the start of this solo, non-stop, unassisted round the world race.

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