Organized every four years, like the Football World Cup or the Olympic Games, the Vendée Globe, a solo round-the-world race, without stopovers or assistance, will depart from Les Sables-d’Olonne on Sunday November 10, at 1:02 p.m.
This is the most difficult offshore racing event. It is nicknamed “the Everest of the Seas”, because it requires its participants to pass through the three reference capes, during a journey of approximately 24,300 miles, or 45,000 km.
Created in 1989, the race takes place every four years with Imoca, 60-foot (18.28 m) monohulls designed to be able to face the toughest sea conditions on the planet.
To validate their entry ticket for this 10th edition, the skippers have had to take the start of several transatlantic races over the last three years. The entire field is highly trained and the boats are more reliable than ever.
Half of the fleet is now equipped with foils, these side appendages which allow sailboats to glide above the water at impressive speeds while limiting drag.
The departure can be followed live on Eurosport this Sunday, from 7:30 a.m. for the return up the channel. The start, scheduled for 1:02 p.m., will be broadcast live on Eurosport and La Chaîne l’Équipe, as well as on TV Vendée and the Vendée Globe YouTube channel.
