Vendée Globe Race Tuesday Update: Reflections After a Month of Racing
by Vendée Globe media 10 Dec 09:41 PST
10 December 2024
One month of racing in the Vendée Globe © Justine Mettraux
As a month has passed since the race commenced, the Vendée Globe is undeniably showcasing its immense popularity, sporting achievements, and media traction. With a record number of visitors to the start village, historic viewership numbers, and unprecedented athletic performances observed thus far, this 10th edition is certainly leaving a significant mark.
THE VILLAGE: RECORD-BREAKING ATTENDANCE
During the three weeks the village was operational, 1.3 million visitors flocked to Les Sables d’Olonne, with over 350,000 spectators witnessing the start on 10 November. This totals 1.65 million attendees, setting a new record—an increase of 10% compared to 2016 (with 2020 affected by the Covid-19 pandemic). This highlights the public’s enthusiasm for this iconic event.
Alain Leboeuf, the president of the Vendée Globe and the Vendée department, expressed his delight at this success: “These numbers affirm the incredible allure of the Vendée Globe. The connection between the public and the skippers is unparalleled. The excitement for the Vendée Globe has never been greater!”
THE START: A SMALL SCREEN SUCCESS AS WELL
With 68 broadcasters, including 47 internationally, the start attracted a vast audience. In France, 10 million viewers watched the start live, achieving a record audience share of 76%. Overall, 22 million French viewers tuned in to see the event.
A MONTH OF UNYIELDING EXCITEMENT ON THE WATER
On the water, the 2024 Vendée Globe presents a captivating contest across all levels of the fleet. While the race leader has already reached the Indian Ocean, the last competitors have just departed the South Atlantic, creating a gap exceeding 5,000 miles. Every sailor has battled fiercely. French skipper Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) has made headlines with an impressive record in the South Atlantic by covering 615.33 miles in a single day at an average speed of 25.64 knots. Unfortunately, he has just sustained foil damage in the Indian Ocean.
Meanwhile, Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) set the record for the segment between Cape of Good Hope and Cape Leeuwin (new reference time: 9d 22h 27min), reinforcing his formidable lead. However, the history of the Vendée Globe reminds us that nothing is ever certain; it is a long-distance race where anything is possible!
Despite the intense competition, only two competitors have withdrawn from the record-sized fleet of 40 starters, namely Maxime Sorel (VandB – Monbana – Mayenne) and Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée). This reflects significant advancements in boat reliability and the effectiveness of the upgraded qualification program.
For context, in 2020, five participants had to retire after a month of racing out of 33 boats, while in 2016, it was five out of 29, and in 2012, seven out of 20 boats retired.
A GRIPPING RACE, CLOSELY MONITORED ON LAND
With each iteration, the Vendée Globe strengthens its status as an essential event that continues to draw public interest. Spontaneous awareness of the race currently stands at 46%, marking a significant 7-point rise from 2020. This growing popularity comes with an increasingly favorable public perception: 70% of French citizens express a positive view of the event, reflecting a 6-point increase. These statistics reinforce the Vendée Globe’s unique ability to unite and inspire through its blend of athletic achievements and human experiences.
The digital engagement metrics are notable:
- 3.2 billion impressions and 421 million people reached on social media.
- 47 million visits to the official website—a 92% increase from 2020.
- 150 million page views—a 67% rise compared to 2020.
- The official app was downloaded 522,000 times, a 49% increase since 2020.
One month in, this 10th edition of the Vendée Globe is proving to be a record-setting benchmark in both sporting achievements and in its widespread popularity and media success!
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