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Everything You Need To Know: Vendée Globe Sailboat Race
January 18, 2025 · 8 min · 8K views
What this video covers
The Vendée Globe is a solo, non-stop, unassisted sailboat race around the world that requires skippers to navigate the Southern Ocean alone. Established in 1989 by Philippe Jeantot, the race prohibits outside assistance, including stopping at ports or stepping ashore, with the exception of returning to the start line within 10 days of departure. Competitors sail 60-foot IMOCA class monohulls, which feature canting keels, hydrofoils, and advanced autopilots integrated with radar, AIS, and the OSCAR floating-object detection system. These boats are designed for high-speed downwind performance, capable of exceeding 30 knots. Safety regulations mandate self-righting capabilities and standardized components for masts, booms, and keel rams. Throughout the race's history, skippers have occasionally performed emergency rescues of fellow competitors, and some have executed repairs while anchored without going ashore. Since its inception, only 114 of 200 total starters have successfully completed the circumnavigation.
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