Whether you checked in live every day or just saw the headlines in your feed, this year’s Vendée Globe was one to remember. The race organization has released a documentary chronicling the magic and the heartbreak of the 10th edition of this solo, round the world race. Watch below or, for those who want the original French, a second video has also been posted to their YouTube channel without the English dubbing.
On November 10, 2024, 40 skippers set off with the aim of sailing nonstop, unassisted around the world in the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe. The race, which starts and ends in Les Sables- d’Olonne, France, sees sailors cross three oceans and cover nearly 24,000 miles.
The fleet, typically dominated by French sailors, represented 11 countries this year, including Japan, China, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Sweden, and Hungary. Conrad Coleman sailed under the joint flags of the United States and New Zealand and was the only American in the fleet. The fleet also included six female skippers and two para-athletes.
By the Numbers:
Greatest distance in 24 hours: Sébastien Simone (Groupe Dubreuil) at 615 nautical miles.
Fastest recorded speed: Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB) at 29.02 knots.
New course record: Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) at 64 days, 19 hours, and 22 minutes. This bested the previous record (Armel Le Cléac’h, 2016) by nine days, eight hours, and 12 minutes.
New fastest female circumnavigator: Justine Mettreaux (Teamwork-Team SNEF) in 76 days, 1 hour, and 36 minutes. This bested the previous record (Clarisse Cremer, 2020) by 11 days, 48 minutes.
March 2025
