The Vendée Globe is a legendary race that celebrated 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!

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LES SABLES D'OLONNE, FRANCE - JANUARY 14, 2025 : MACIF Santé Prévoyance skipper Charlie Dalin (FRA) is posing with the crowd on pontoons, in a specific series of portraits shot after winning the Vendee Globe, on January 14, 2025 in Les Sables d'Olonne, France - (Photo by Vincent Curutchet - Jean-Louis Carli / Alea)

The last edition

The edition of many records ! It broke records for the number of competitors (40), skippers from more different nations than ever before (11), more spectators came to Les Sables d’Olonne (2,45 million) as well as more subscribers on the Vendée Globe social networks (1.6 million) to name just a few.

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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.

Discover the boat in 3D