Anticipating the Initial Hours of the 10th Vendée Globe
by Vendée Globe Media 9 Nov 09:05 PST
10 November 2024
The 40 solo sailors scheduled to depart for the Vendée Globe this Sunday from Les Sables d’Olonne on France’s western coast can expect a relatively smooth start to the non-stop race around the world, which occurs every four years.
Unlike the dangerous autumn storms that frequently hit the Bay of Biscay in early November, forecasts predict a gentle 5-10 knot wind to usher the record-breaking fleet of 40 IMOCA 60-footers on their journey. Many competitors would prefer stronger winds to help them quickly move south towards Cape Finisterre at the northwest tip of Spain, minimizing potential collision risks among the large group. The solo skippers anticipate being at sea for anywhere from 70 to 110 days and must maintain high vigilance.
Nonetheless, sailors are generally relieved to have a slower and easier race start.
“For once, we’re not going to get our butts kicked right away,” quips Swiss rookie Oliver Heer (Tut Gut). Fellow newcomer Guirec Soudée (Freelance.com) adds, “There shouldn’t be any big gusts,” while British skipper Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE), who won last year’s IMOCA Globe Series, affirms a calm start is anticipated.
“There may be some fog in the morning. Then we’ll have light winds, ranging from 0 to 8 knots. It might be a bit frustrating if we have to wait for the winds to pick up, but we’ll manage,” explains French skipper Louis Duc (Fives Group – Lantana Environnement).
Mist and fog could pose challenges early in the race. “We hope it clears up before the start; it could be hazardous,” Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) warns.
“Overall, it shouldn’t be too difficult, allowing us to start with a calm mindset,” remarks Yoann Richomme, one of the pre-race favorites. The French skipper of PAPREC ARKÉA is pleased to begin sailing downwind where his monohull excels. “There should be light winds at the start, getting stronger as we head towards the Southwest,” says first-time racer Jérémie Beyou. “This is a much less stressful and engaging start than what we typically face this time of year.”
“It feels almost too good to be true.”
Starts for solo and double-handed ocean races have been less fortunate in recent times. At the Rolex Fastnet Race, winds exceeded 40 knots at the start. Both the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe (2022) and Transat Jacques Vabre (2023) had their starts postponed to escape severe weather systems impacting the routes.
“After those three races, the Vendée Globe start seems almost too good to be true,” smiles Hungarian Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe). “The Vendée Globe start rarely resembles Lake Balaton. It’s never pleasant to begin a 90-day race in 30 knots of wind,” adds his Swiss counterpart and competitor.
The start is a significant moment of intense emotion… and a logistical challenge.
These favorable conditions will undoubtedly benefit spectators who can witness the emotional moments as the skippers depart from Port Olona, navigating the famous channel of Les Sables d’Olonne on their global voyage, often referred to as the Everest of the Seas. Starting from 0800 local time (0700 UTC), skippers will set off every three minutes, heading towards the open ocean, aiming to return to Les Sables d’Olonne after passing the three great Capes: Good Hope, Leeuwin, and Cape Horn. Tens of thousands of fans will line the channel and beaches for this final send-off to the solo sailors.
Race management and the sailors themselves are cautioning everyone who heads out to observe the start to exercise extreme caution. “It will be a moment of heightened tension regardless of the weather,” acknowledges Guirec Soudée. “It’s essential to remain alert and avoid collisions. From the start, it will be extremely intense.”
Once the starting gun fires and the first few miles are behind them, the fleet should sail downwind.
“The wind is expected to build off Cape Finisterre,” says Swiss skipper Justine Mettraux (Teamwork-Team Snef). “But it likely won’t exceed 30 knots.” “Positioning will be critical during this transition,” emphasizes Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA). “We should reach the trade winds with this same northeast flow,” says French skipper Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée), who came third in the previous race.
British sailor Pip Hare adds, “I think it will be kind to us. I would have preferred a bit more wind, and I believe everyone is somewhat anxious about the fog. Honestly, the priority is to ensure a safe start. Looking ahead, it appears complicated. Once we get to Finisterre, it becomes uncertain what awaits us. We need to focus on a safe beginning, above all.”
Even if no winter storms are anticipated in the opening days, the competition is expected to be fierce. “The rivalry will be intense from the outset, and it’s quite possible the entire fleet will make it into the Indian Ocean,” argues Burton. “The conditions during the initial hours and days could favor boats equipped with straight daggerboards.”
Kiwi Conrad Colman, embarking on his second Vendée Globe, states, “It looks light and downwind, which benefits our daggerboard designs. However, I’m surprised by the volume of supplies we’re bringing aboard. 100 days of food in boxes leaves limited space for me! Having provisions for 100 days gives me a 15-day surplus, which I hope not to need this time (Colman dismasted between the Azores and Portugal in 2017 and finished using a jury rig with no food left). Even with our boat fully stocked, I am still lighter than the others. We have less drag in the water. It’ll be beneficial. If we are well-positioned by Cape Finisterre, that would be ideal, but I have no illusions that it can be sustained. We anticipate a relatively light downwind journey to Cape Finisterre, then around the first anticyclone just east of the Azores.”
Quotes:
Szabolcs Weöres (HUN, NEW EUROPE): “Following the Transat Jacques Vabre, the Route du Rhum, and the Fastnet Race, this feels almost too good to be true. The forecast looks promising—potentially favorable for my boat. I believe I have a good chance in light and tricky conditions. I always say when you rely on the weather observed from the boat rather than forecasts, keeping your eyes peeled outside the cabin, I can perform quite well. It is rare for the Vendée Globe start to resemble Lake Balaton.”
Ollie Heer (SUI Tut Gut): “For once, I’m relieved that we’re not launching into a brutal storm immediately and will have time to adjust. It seems to be a pleasant couple of days ahead, which will be advantageous for my vessel. It’s never enjoyable to initiate a 90-day race in 30 knots of wind, so I’m very pleased with this forecast. Now it’s all about sponsors and partners. Mentally and physically, I feel prepared, and I’m happy to have things to keep me busy, but I’m eager to go sailing.”
Boris Herrmann (GER Malizia-Seaexplorer): “It’s nice not to be starting into a massive storm, making me feel more relaxed. We should excel in light winds; I believe we’re the fastest in less than eight knots due to our small wetted surface with the rounded hull shape—ideally, the smallest would be a sphere, and we’re quite close. We’ve had a good build-up over the past four years. It contrasts sharply with last time when I was anxious about COVID and a potential inability to start. This time, I enjoy meeting people and savoring the experience, but I’m also significantly more nervous; I’m not sure why. I’m extremely nervous.”
Jingkun XU (CHN, Singchain Team Haikou): “I’m very excited and a bit anxious. The start looks fantastic for spectators, which is great since many people from China are here for the launch. I believe it will be a positive experience for them.”
Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN, DMG MORI Global One): “I feel good. I’m relaxed and calm; we have several Japanese guests. This might be a miracle since this could be the first race where I start without seasickness. I will do my utmost, as always.”
Giancarlo Pedote (ITA PRYSMIAN): “I believe it won’t be easy due to the light weather. It’s vital for race management to keep other boats clear around us. Keeping our eyes open and being aware of everything will be crucial. I’m very calm now and solely focused.”
