Vendee Globe direct - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. The Vendee Globe is a non-stop solo sailing race around the world, held every four years. The race starts and finishes in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France.
- 2. The race covers a distance of approximately 24,000 nautical miles, and sailors must navigate the treacherous Southern Ocean, rounding the three great capes - Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn.
- 3. The Vendee Globe is considered one of the toughest challenges in sailing, with sailors facing extreme weather conditions, isolation, and sleep deprivation during the race.
- 4. The race is open to monohull sailboats, specifically IMOCA 60 class boats, which are high-performance racing yachts designed for solo and short-handed sailing.
- 5. The current record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe in the Vendee Globe is held by Armel Le Cléac'h, who completed the race in 74 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes, and 46 seconds in 2017.
- 6. The race has a strict set of rules and regulations to ensure the safety of the sailors, including mandatory safety equipment, regular check-ins with race organizers, and penalties for rule violations.
- 7. The Vendee Globe attracts top sailors from around the world, including seasoned ocean racers, Olympians, and solo sailing specialists, who compete for the coveted title of Vendee Globe champion.
- 8. The race is known for its unpredictable and dramatic moments, with sailors facing challenges such as equipment failures, collisions with floating debris, and encounters with wildlife during their journey.
- 9. Spectators can follow the race online through the official Vendee Globe website, which provides live tracking of the boats, daily updates from the sailors, and video highlights from the race.
- 10. The Vendee Globe is a test of skill, endurance, and mental fortitude, with sailors pushing themselves to their limits to complete the grueling race and achieve their dream of circumnavigating the globe solo.