The 10th edition of the Vendée Globe is underway, with a record 40 skippers competing to be the fastest solo sailor around the world.
While flying on foils isn’t usually a big concern for us here at OCH (start off slow, then ease up, remember?), the challenges, speed, and personalities exhibited every four years keeps us coming back for more. 55 years on, this is our modern version of Bernard Moitessier vs. Robin Knox-Johnston in the original Golden Globe Race.
The media coverage has reached new heights in 2024, with a great tracker, lots of on-board footage from the skippers and daily expert analysis from multiple sources. In addition to the official Vendée Globe channel, here’s a taste from one of our favorites, Sea Wolves:
Our personal favorite skipper is the legendary Jean Le Cam competing in his sixth (!) Vendée, whose legend includes a narrow runner-up in 2005, a capsizing in 2009, and returning the favor by rescuing another liferaft-bound competitor in 2020.
Who’s your favorite skipper?
Joel Bland says:
Tough call! I will go with Boris Hermann. But I like so many. Pip Hare? Clarisse? But Le Roi De Mer?! Also a fave! I saw Rich Wilson in the grocery store – how lucky is that?