The Tenth Vendée Globe: Who Are the Contestants?
by Vendée Globe Media 26 Oct 09:13 PDT
10 November 2024
All skippers except Boris Herrmann are featured in the official group photo taken on the pontoons of the Vendée Globe in Les Sables d’Olonne, France, on October 20 © Vincent Curutchet / Alea
Who are the favorites? Who are the dark horses? Who might create an upset? Forty solo sailors will begin their journey on Sunday, November 10; here’s a preview of the competitors and their potential outcomes…
The Favorites: A Group of Seven
This select group is often regarded as the frontrunners. Unquestionably, Charlie Dalin stands out as a favorite. He finished first in 2021 and was later classified second overall after time compensations were applied, benefiting sailors including the winner, Yannick Bestaven. Dalin has won multiple races since, including the Vendée-Arctique (2022), the Rolex Fastnet Race (2023), and the New York-Vendée Les Sables d’Olonne (2024). His new Verdier boat, MACIF Santé Prévoyance, has made waves since its debut. “I believe I have improved significantly and am stronger than before,” he shares. “But I’m not alone!”
Also in contention is Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE), who has shown impressive form since the last event. The northern French sailor has claimed victory in the last two Transat Jacques Vabre races (2021, 2023) and the solo Route du Rhum (2022). He firmly believes, “I have a boat that can win.” Jérémie Beyou, preparing for his fifth consecutive Vendée Globe, adds to the mix. “I feel like I’ve experienced all aspects of this race except winning,” admits Beyou, who launched his new Manuard boat in 2022 and has been greatly aided by Franck Cammas’s expertise for speed and reliability.
Two Newcomers
Joining this trio are two newcomers: Yoann Richomme and Sam Goodchild from Britain. Richomme races the PAPREC ARKÉA, a close sistership to VULNERABLE; he’s won the Solitaire du Figaro and Route du Rhum (in Class40) and has triumphed in two transatlantic races in IMOCA (Retour à la Base 2023, The Transat last spring). Sam Goodchild took over the ex-LinkedOut (VULNERABLE) from Ruyant and has already secured two podium finishes (3rd in Transat Jacques Vabre and Retour à la Base), becoming the IMOCA Globe Series champion.
Boris Hermann (Malizia – Seaexplorer) from Germany and Briton Sam Davies (Initiatives-Cœur) also deserve mention among the favorites; both have logged significant nautical miles since the last Vendée Globe. Hermann has achieved podium finishes in The Ocean Race (3rd), The Transat CIC (2nd), and New York-Vendée Les Sables d’Olonne (2nd). Sam Davies hit the podium for the first time in the IMOCA last spring (3rd in The Transat CIC) and seeks a sort of redemption after retiring in Cape Town four years ago.
The Outsiders: A Competitive ‘Top 10’
Many competitors aspire to break into the ‘top 10’ and dream of a ‘top 5.’ Several among them are veterans of previous races, including Switzerland’s Justine Mettraux with the ex-Charal1 (TeamWork – Team Snef), Sébastien Simon with the ex-11th Hour winner of The Ocean Race (Groupe Dubreuil), and Benjamin Dutreux (GUYOT-environnement-Water Family), a standout in the last event.
Many possess considerable experience: defending champion Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq V), Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée), who podiumed in the last Vendée Globe, and Franco-German Isabelle Joschke (MACSF) and Giancarlo Pedote (Prysmian). Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) returns after his first participation in 2016, while Nicolas Lunven (HOLCIM-PRB) is highly experienced and will surely compete well. Maxime Sorel (V and B – Monbana – Mayenne) and Damien Seguin (Groupe APICIL), who have contract relations ending post-Vendée Globe, will strive to shine. Romain Attanasio (Fortinet – Best Western), Alan Roura from Switzerland (Hublot) on his third Vendée Globe in the former Alex Thomson boat, and Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitane en Provence), competing in her second race, also aim for the ‘top 10.’ Briton Pip Hare (Medallia), who finished 9th in the New York Vendée and 11th in Retour à la Base, is likewise eager to perform. Arnaud Boissières (La Mie Câline) kicks off his fifth Vendée Globe alongside Japan’s Kojiro Shiraishi (DMG MORI Global One), also taking part in his third race.
The Daggerboard Boats Challenge
In addition to the foilers, 16 daggerboard boats are also set to compete. While they may not match the speed capabilities of the foilers, they can still perform well under certain conditions. Jean Le Cam and Benjamin Dutreux proved this in the last edition, finishing 4th and 9th, respectively. This year, Le Cam features a new David Raison-designed daggerboard boat (Tout commence en Finistère – Armor-lux), identical to Éric Bellion’s (STAND AS ONE). They’ll compete against passionate sailors like Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur – DUO for a JOB), adventurous Guirec Soudée (Freelance.com), youthful Violette Dorange (DeVenir), determined Tanguy Le Turquais (Lazare), and audacious Louis Duc (Fives Group-Lantana Environnement).
Returning competitors Manuel Cousin (Coup de Pouce) and Fabrice Amedeo (Nexans – Wewise), both from the 2020-2021 edition, are joined by New Zealander Conrad Colman (MS Amlin) from 2016, each eager to make their mark. We will also closely monitor the debut Vendée Globe of Chinese racer Jingkun Xu (Singchain Team Haikou), Swiss skipper Oliver Heer (Tug Gut), Belgian Denis Van Weynbergh (D’Ietieren Group), Hungarian Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe), and the French skippers Sébastien Marsset (FOUSSIER) and Antoine Cornic (Human Immobilier).
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