Sailing Into History: Vendée Globe's Female Skippers Share Their Stories

Our host, Charlie Enright, speaks with three female skippers competing in this edition of the Vendée Globe - frontrunner Justine Mettraux, and multi-race veterans Sam Davies and Pip Hare. These women are the best of the best and an inspiration for all young offshore sailors. The Vendée Globe has a rich history of showcasing exceptional female talent, beginning with trailblazers Isabelle Autissier and Catherine Chabaud in the 1996-97 race. Chabaud became the first woman to complete the “Everest of the Seas,” and since its inception in 1989, the race has featured 12 women across 15 starts. This year, six women, including 23-year-old Violette Dorange—the youngest skipper ever—are competing. In this episode of Loft 57, Mettraux shares her record-breaking pursuit, Davies discusses her top-15 standing, and Pip reflects on overcoming a dismasting. The Vendée Globe, often called the “Everest of the Seas,” is a solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation. Starting and finishing in Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, it challenges sailors to navigate treacherous waters around Antarctica and the three great Capes without external support—an unparalleled test of endurance and skill. Celebrate the race’s 10th edition with Loft 57 as we explore why the Vendée Globe holds legendary status in France and beyond. Explore all Loft 57 Podcast episodes here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWAeGoXc3dVwafcniZZagqkwQhk8zwApN&feature=shared Learn more about North Sails and the Vendee Globe: https://www.northsails.com/pages/vendee-globe #Loft57Podcast #VendeeGlobe #NorthSails #OffshoreSailing