Vendée Globe

The Vendée Globe is a round-the-world single-handed yacht race, sailed non-stop and without assistance. [ [http://vendeeglobe.migration.lbn.fr/uk/home "Vendée Globe"] , the official web site (English version)] The race was founded by Philippe Jeantot in 1989, and since 1992 has taken place every four years.

As the only single-handed non-stop round-the-world race (in contrast to the VELUX 5 Oceans Race, which is sailed in stages), the race is a serious test of individual endurance, and is regarded by many as the ultimate in ocean racing.

History

The race was founded in 1989 by French yachtsman Philippe Jeantot. Jeantot had competed in the "BOC Challenge" (now the "VELUX 5 Oceans Race") in 1982-1983 and 1986-1987, winning both times; dissatisfied with the "stopping" format, he decided to set up a new non-stop race, which he felt would be the ultimate challenge for single-handed sailors. [ [http://vendeeglobe.migration.lbn.fr/uk/presentation "Introduction"] , from the official web site]

The first edition of the race was run in 1989-1990, and was won by Titouan Lamazou; Jeantot himself took part, and placed fourth. [ [http://vendeeglobe.migration.lbn.fr/uk/historique "1989/1990 Edition: A great race is born"] , from the official web site] The next edition of the race was in 1992-1993; since then it has been run every four years.

The boats

The race is open to monohull yachts conforming to the Open 60 class criteria. (Prior to 2004, the race was also open to Open 50 boats.) The Open classes are unrestricted in certain aspects but a box rule governs parameters such as overall length, draught, appendages and stability, as well as numerous other safety features.

The race

The race starts and finishes in Les Sables-d'Olonne, in the Vendée département of France; both Les Sables d’Olonne and the Vendée Conseil Général are official race sponsors. [ [http://vendeeglobe.migration.lbn.fr/uk/partenaires "Partners"] , from the official web site] The course is essentially a circumnavigation along the clipper route: from Les Sables d’Olonne, down the Atlantic Ocean to the Cape of Good Hope; then clockwise around Antarctica, keeping Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn to port; then back to Les Sables d’Olonne. [ [http://vendeeglobe.migration.lbn.fr/uk/parcours "Route"] , from the official web site] The race generally runs from November to February; it is timed to place the competitors in the Southern Ocean in summer.

Additional waypoints may be set in the sailing instructions for a particular race, in order to ensure safety relative to ice conditions, etc. For example, in 2004, the racers had to pass north of the following flexible waypoints: [ [http://vendeeglobe.migration.lbn.fr/popup.php?L=UK&T=classhelp "Positions and Theoretical Route"] , from the official web site]
* a gate south of South Africa, situated at 44° South, between 005° East and 014° East
* Heard Island
* a gate to the South west of Australia, situated at 47° South, between 103° East and 113° East
* a gate to the south east of Australia, situated at 52° South, between 136° East and 147° East
* a gate in the Pacific Ocean, situated at 55° South, between 160° West and 149° West
* a gate in the Pacific Ocean, situated at 55° South, between 126° West and 115° West

The competitors may stop at anchor, but may not draw alongside a quay or another vessel; they may receive no outside assistance, including customised weather or routing information. The only exception is that a competitor who has an early problem may return to the start for repairs and then re-start the race, as long the re-start is within 10 days of the official start. [ [http://vendeeglobe.migration.lbn.fr/uk/reglement "Main Rules for the Vendée Globe 2004"] , from the official web site]

The race presents significant challenges; most notably the severe wind and wave conditions in the Southern Ocean, the long unassisted duration of the race, and the fact that the course takes competitors far from the reach of any normal emergency response. A significant proportion of the entrants usually retire, and in the 1996-1997 race Canadian Gerry Roufs was tragically lost at sea. [ [http://vendeeglobe.migration.lbn.fr/uk/historique "1996/1997 Edition : The Globe spinning out of control"] , from the official web site]

To mitigate the risks, competitors are required to undergo medical and survival courses. They must also be able to demonstrate prior racing experience; either a completed single-handed trans-oceanic race, or a completion of the previous "Vendée Globe". The qualifying passage must have been completed on the same boat to be raced in the "Vendée"; or the competitor must complete an additional trans-oceanic observation passage, of not less than 2,500 miles, in that boat, at an average speed of at least 7 knots (13 km/h). [ [http://vendeeglobe.migration.lbn.fr/uk/reglement "Main Rules for the Vendée Globe 2004"] , from the official web site] Since trans-ocean races typically have significant qualifying criteria of their own, [ [http://www.o6t.com/index.cfm?articleid=74 "Qualifying for the Route du Rhum"] , Conrad Humphreys Racing] any entrant to the "Vendée" will have amassed substantial sailing experience.

Previous results

1989-1990

The inaugural edition of the race was led from early on by the eventual winner, Titouan Lamazou, on "Ecureuil d'Aquitaine II". Philippe Jeantot, the race's founder, had problems with breakdowns, and then unfavourable winds, which held him back from the race lead. Philippe Poupon's ketch "Fleury Michon X" capsized in the Southern Ocean; Poupon was rescued by Loïck Peyron, who finally finished second, in what was generally a successful first run of the race. [ [http://vendeeglobe.migration.lbn.fr/uk/historique "1989/1990 Edition: A great race is born"] , from the official web site]

2000-2001

This race was the first major test of the new safety rules, introduced following the tragedy in the previous race. Overall, it was a success; although some boats were again forced to retire from the race, none were lost. This race also featured the youngest entrant ever; Ellen MacArthur of the UK, who at 24 years old had managed to put together a serious campaign with her custom-built boat "Kingfisher".

Yves Parlier of France, on "Aquitaine Innovations", was the first to establish a lead; however, this was soon under attack by Michel Desjoyeaux on "PRB", who moved into the lead. Pushing hard to catch up, Parlier was dismasted and lost contact with race organisers. MacArthur diverted to render assistance, but was then told to resume racing when contact with Parlier was restored, and managed to maintain fourth place.

Desjoyeaux extended his lead to 600 miles by Cape Horn; however, MacArthur was closing steadily, having moved up to second place. By the mid-Atlantic she had caught up, and while negotiating the calms and variable winds of the Doldrums, the two traded the lead position several times.

MacArthur's chances of a win were ruined when she struck a semi-submerged container and was forced to make repairs. Desjoyeaux won the race; but MacArthur pulled in just over a day later, to a rapturous reception, as the fastest single-handed woman around the planet. Parlier, meanwhile, had anchored off New Zealand, and managed to fabricate a new carbon-fibre mast from the remains of his broken mast, all without outside assistance. He continued racing, and gained an official place. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/vendee_globe/1162111.stm "Vendee Globe: The full story"] , from the BBC] [ [http://vendeeglobe.migration.lbn.fr/uk/historique "2000/2001 Edition : The Express Globe"] , from the official web site]

See also

* VELUX 5 Oceans Race
* Route du Rhum
* Volvo Ocean Race
* Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
* Global Challenge

External links

* [http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/ Official website]
* [http://ecolecentreferte.free.fr/Vendee-globe/Les-cartes.htm A diagram of the race]

References