The Everest of the Seas kicks off on Sunday in Les Sables-d’Olonne. The Vendée Globe, the world’s greatest single-handed sailing race, starts at 13:02. Already in the morning, from 8am, the boats will leave the pontoons in staggered departures.
After three years of waiting, the famous race on Imoca-type boats, those famous 18.28-meter-long monohulls, will be launched. Skippers must complete the race non-stop, with no landings or refuelling allowed.
Around 75 days of racing for the fastest
For around two and a half months (the record is held by Armel Le Cléac’h in 2016-2017, who successfully completed the Vendée Globe in 74 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes and 46 seconds), the skippers will be crossing some very impressive zones, such as the Doldrums, the Roaring Forties and the Howling Fifties, near theAntarctica. The famous Cape Horn will also be rounded before returning to Les Sables-d’Olonne.
With no weather or medical assistance, participants will be left to their own devices. They do, however, have the opportunity to call a race doctor remotely in the event of a physical problem. In the event of a technical problem, they must repair their boat themselves. If the breakage occurs within 10 days of the start, a return trip to Les Sables-d’Olonne is possible. On average, around 50% of skippers retire. There will be 40 skippers at the start this year.
When and on what channel to watch the Vendée Globe 2024
The start of the race will be broadcast on France TélévisionsLa Chaîne L’Équipe and Infosport+ on Sunday.
Three years ago, Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq V) won the race. A total of 27 French sailors are taking part this year. Departures from the pontoons will take place at the following times:
- 8 a.m.: Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance)
- 8:03 am: Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq V)
- 8:06 am: Samatha Davies (Initiatives-Cœur)
- 8:09 am: Éric Bellion (Stand as One)
- 8:12 am: Nicolas Lunven (Holcim – PRB)
- 8:15 am: Arnaud Boissières (La Mie Câline)
- 8:18 am: Pip Hare (Medallia)
- 8:21 am: Szabolcs Weores (New Europe)
- 8:24 am: Maxime Sorel (V and B – Montana – Mayenne)
- 8:27 am: Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur – Duo For A job)
- 8:30 am: Guirec Soudée (Freelance.com)
- 8:33 am: Boris Herrmann (Malizia – SeaExplorer)
- 8:36 am: Romain Attanasio (Fortinet – Best Western)
- 8:39 am: Sébastien Marsset (Foussier)
- 8:42 am: Denis Van Weynbergh (D’Ietren Group)
- 8:45 am: Paul Meilhat (Biotherm)
- 8:48 am: Fabrice Amédéo (Nexans – Wewise)
- 8:51 a.m.: Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa)
- 8:54 am: Justine Mettraux (Teamwork – Team SNEF)
- 8:57 am: Isabelle Joschke (MACSF)
- 9 a.m.: Louis Duc (Fives Group – Lantana Environnement)
- 9:03 am: Damien Seguin (Groupe Apicil)
- 9:06 am: Jérémie Beyou (Charal)
- 9:09 am: Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable)
- 9:12 am: Jean Le Cam (Tout commence en Finistère – Armor Lux)
- 9:15 am: Benjamin Dutreux (Guyot Environnement – Water Family)
- 9:18 am: Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable)
- 9:21 am: Giancarlo Pedote (Prysmian)
- 9:24 am: Manuel Cousin (Coup de Pouce)
- 9:27 am: Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée)
- 9:30 am: Kojiro Shiraishi (DMG Mori Global One)
- 9:33 am: Sébastien Simon (Dubreuil Group)
- 9:36 am: Jingkun Xu (Singchain Team Haikou)
- 9:39 am: Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitane en Provence)
- 9:42 am: Tanguy Le Turquais (Lazare)
- 9:45 am: Alan Roura (Hublot)
- 9:48 am: Oliver Heer (Tut Gut)
- 9:51 am: Antoine Cornic (Human Immobilier)
- 9:54 am: Conrad Colman (MS Amlin)
- 9:57 am: Violette Dorange (DeVenir)