The Vendee Globe - A Truly Extreme Solo Sailing Race

Solo round the world racing is something that only the hardiest and mentally tough sailors can contemplate. Go a couple of steps further, solo, non-stop, without assistance, and you have the Vendee Globe: a dangerous and demanding race that will take place for the eighth time on November 6th in France. Departing from Les Sables d’Olonn, 29 skippers will race their IMOCA 60s east to west around the world, in a course that takes competitors through the three major capes; Cape Horn, Leeuwin and Good Hope.

What Competitors Can Expect

The race is dangerous and physically demanding for skippers. Heavy seas leave them confined to the cockpit, with the looming risk of being thrown from their seat with cuts, sprains, bruises and other more severe injuries that can derail their best-laid plans. Skippers often liken the experience to being in a submarine or washing machine, rather than a sailing boat, as opening the hatch will expose them to tonnes of water and venturing outside to the risk of going overboard. This is the deadliest of risks for Vendee Globe skippers.

Alone in Every Respect

The race stipulations are clear; sail around the world with no stops and no assistance. The only exception to the rules is when a fellow competitor arrives to rescue another. Aside from this, no one else may board the IMOCA 60 aside from the person sailing it. Repairs to damage sustained during the race, which always occurs, needs to be carried out alone. Injuries sustained need to be treated by the skippers themselves, although they are allowed to seek advice from the race doctor over the radio. Similarly, race engineers can consult skippers on repair work, but no physical assistance can be used. Routing is entirely up to the skippers, and no assistance can be provided with navigation. 

The Vendee Globe is a not a well-known race outside of the sailing community, however it is at the pinnacle of solo and endurance sailing. ​