Starting line in sight for the 10th Vendée Globe

An anniversary event twice over

The upcoming Vendée Globe, which will start on 10 November 2024 will mark the tenth edition of the competition, a year also marked by the 140th anniversary of BENETEAU.

BENETEAU and the Vendée Globe single-handed yacht race are also celebrating a 20-year partnership, with 14 models from the Antares and Swift Trawler ranges mobilised behind the scenes to organise and broadcast the event worldwide.

The event is already promising to be awesome, with a record of forty skippers taking to the starting line in a few months’ time, at the end of the qualifying races that are set to be just as exciting as the race itself, culminating in a New York to Sables-d'Olonne transatlantic race in the month of May 2024.

We are very proud to be partners of the Vendée Globe. It is no coincidence that we have so much in common, mainly with solid moorings in Vendée, where we are rooted, and our sights set on the ocean, since BENETEAU can be found in the majority of countries and on most of the worlds’ seas. It will be a special Vendée Globe, as it celebrates both the 20th anniversary of our partnership and BENETEAU’s 140th anniversary.

Jean-François Lair, BENETEAU brand director

Join us at the Vendée Globe Villagee

For the spectators, the Vendée Globe Village is the vibrant epicentre of the adventure, where amateur and keen sailors gather together to soak up the lively atmosphere of this legendary round-the-world race. It opens one month before the start and BENETEAU will have a special stand there.

From 19 October until 10 November, the general public will be able to visit the village in Port d’Olona in Les Sables-d'Olonne and admire the boats as they get ready for the start of a single-hand race lasting roughly ten weeks.

The 3 Capes and New York

While the previous Vendée Globe races were an opportunity to showcase Vendée in all corners of the three oceans, with a course repeatedly rounding the 3 capes of Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn, the 10th edition had to be a special one, with an exciting programme, and this will be the case with the New York Vendée.

In 2024, the Vendée Globe 2024 is taking a trip to the east coast of the United States, for a qualifying leg, in which thirty skippers will compete, starting on 29 May, setting sail from New York for Les Sables-d'Olonne – thrills and excitement guaranteed!

This race aligns perfectly with our round-the-world race, and aims to improve the international appeal of our events. With nearly half of the competing skippers being international, it is safe to say that this goal has been achieved.

Alain Leboeuf, President of the Vendée Globe, the New York Vendée - Les Sables-d'Olonne and of the Vendée Département

The New York Vendée Official website

20 years of achievements and records

The Everest of the Seas is a race of giddying proportions, with 9 editions already under the belt. The forthcoming anniversary race is a chance to reflect on the journey so far.

A look back at the race’s most remarkable moments in figures and achievements.

Round the World in 74 days
Armel Le Cléac'h holds the all-time race record. His circumnavigation took 74 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes and 46 seconds in the 2016-2017 Vendée Globe.

In a strong gale
François Gabart, winner of the 2012-2013 edition, set the average speed record over the entire Vendée Globe, with an average of 15.3 knots.

A perilous race
The Vendée Globe is a treacherous and very demanding race, frequently with a high retirement rate due to the extreme weather conditions and the dangers of the oceans.
Despite a retirement rate approaching 50% in the first seven editions, the figure is constantly improving, falling from 45% in 2012-2013 to 24%, the lowest rate, in 2020-2021, with 25 skippers out of a total of 33 skippers at the start crossing the finishing line.

The Art of DIY
In single-handed, non-stop, unaided racing the rules are clear to avoid disqualification and sailors often need to demonstrate amazing expertise and heroism to comply.
In 1992-1993, Bertrand de Broc was seriously injured at sea during a storm, when he bit through his own tongue. Medical care on the ocean was not possible due to regulations. So, he showed incredible courage by sewing his own tongue back together in order to continue the race

Fair Play Wins
Yannick Bestaven won the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe after an incredibly tense finale. The third skipper to cross the finishing line in Les Sables-d'Olonne, the jury awarded him 10 hours and 15 minutes of time compensation for helping to rescue Kevin Escoffier, who was in great difficulty earlier in the race.