Vendée Globe
The Vendée Globe is the world’s toughest sailing race for a single person. It is a non-stop, solo journey around the world, starting and finishing in Les Sables-d’Olonne, France. The latest edition is 2024–2025. Boats sail in the Open 60 class (IMOCA 60) and cover about 24,000 nautical miles (around 44,000 km).
The race began in 1989, founded by Philippe Jeantot after he wanted a tougher, non-stop round-the-world challenge. The first winner was Titouan Lamazou, and Jeantot finished fourth. Since 1992 the event has been held every four years. Before 2004, Open 50 boats could also compete.
Course and conditions
Competitors sail westward from France, down the Atlantic to the Cape of Good Hope, then around Antarctica and Cape Horn, before returning to Les Sables-d’Olonne. The route keeps Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn to port. The race takes place from November to February to take advantage of better weather in the Southern Ocean. An exclusion zone around Antarctica exists to avoid icebergs.
Rules and safety
Sailors race alone and cannot receive outside assistance or weather routing. They may anchor but cannot dock or receive help, and they may restart the race within 10 days of the official start if they need repairs. Qualifying involves a previous solo trans-ocean race or a long ocean passage on the same boat, at least 2,500 miles at an average speed of 7 knots. The event is extremely demanding and has seen retirements and tragedies, such as Gerry Roufs who was lost at sea during the 1996–97 race.
Record holder
Michel Desjoyeaux has won the Vendée Globe twice, the most titles for any sailor.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 10:36 (CET).