Vendée Globe underway!

Les Sables d’Olonne was buzzing from the early hours as the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe set sail on Sunday 10th November, with tens of thousands of fans lining the docks. The previous Vendee was held during Covid times without the razmataz, and it was clear the sailors were enjoying the crowds returning to the full, orchestrating the cheers as they went down the channel towards the start line. This year there are a record 40 IMOCA yachts taking part with 11 international sailors and 6 female sailors. In very light winds the fleet were away cleanly on a long start line, with the pin end seeing the most congestion. Carrying their largest headsails and spinnakers, the sailors ghosted away from the line on their epic 24,000 nautical mile odyssey. Early leader was Boris Herrmann on Malizia – SeaExplorer, with the fleet aiming to head south as quickly as possible to find more breeze. Yannick Bestaven is defending the trophy on his new yacht Maître Coq V but will face stiff competition from the likes of Charlier Dalin on MACIF, and a host of other top contenders. On Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com we’ll be bringing you all the latest news from the race and be sure to watch Ambre Hasson’s interviews from the Race Village prior to the start, all available on the Sail-World YouTube channel. Subscribe to our channel where we’ll be giving you more from the Vendee Globe as it progresses. #VG2024