The Atlantic Sea welcomes the forty boats participating in the tenth edition of the Vendée Globe, a historic race that challenges sailors to circumnavigate the globe alone, without stopovers and without assistance. Starting from Les Sables d’Olonne, the skippers are preparing to face a journey of over 24,000 miles (about 45,000 km), with the aim of returning to the Vendée after having rounded three of the most feared marine capes: Good Hope, Leeuwin and Cape Horn.
Each participant has the opportunity to aspire to different goals. While some simply aim to complete the race, others aim to beat the current record set by Frenchman Armel Le Cléac’h in 2016/2017, set at 74 days and three hours. The boats in this edition are characterized by superior speed and reliability, suggesting the possibility of breaking the record by early next year. However, the weather conditions were not favorable in the starting phase. With irregular winds oscillating between 4 and 7 knots, the competition started around 13:00 after the sailors had said goodbye to their loved ones in the port. Among the skippers there are 27 French and representatives from countries such as China, Japan, Germany and Italy, with Giancarlo Pedote at the forefront.
Giancarlo Pedote, the Florentine sailor competing with the Prysmian boat, described his state of mind as serene after weeks of intense preparations. He shared meaningful moments with his family before entering “racing” mode.
“Once you cross the starting line, you go into ‘racing’ mode and you don’t think about anything else,” Pedote said, highlighting the importance of regular contact with loved ones. Charlie Dalin, considered one of the favorites of the edition, also showed enthusiasm at the beginning of the competition. The young Violette Dorange was the last to start and could not hold back her tears for the emotion of the moment.
The Vendée Globe is not just a test of nautical prowess; it is a celebration of the human spirit of adventure and resilience. With challenges awaiting skippers across the world’s vast oceans, the focus will be not only on the time results but also on the stories that emerge along the way. This edition already promises to be a thrilling and unforgettable experience for anyone following this extraordinary maritime adventure.
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