Who are the Skippers Competing in the 2024 Vendée Globe? 

The skippers are in the final days of preparing for the sailing world’s greatest challenge: the Vendée Globe solo sailing race around the world. 

At the time of writing, 40 skippers are preparing to compete in this year’s Vendée Globe race starting on 10th November, but based on the race’s history only half of them are likely to reach the finish line. 

Why is this race so prestigious? 

This round-the-world race is known as ‘the Everest of sailing’, as it requires a skipper to sail alone around the globe, non-stop and with no assistance; if equipment fails, they must have the skills to repair it themselves without touching land.  

French yachtsman Philippe Jeantot founded the initial race in 1989, and since 1992 the Vendée Globe has been held every four years. The competitors will set off from Les Sables d’Olonne in the Vendée and battle for around 80 days to complete their circumnavigation and return to their starting point, and their final ranking also takes into account any time spent rescuing fellow competitors along the way: of the 200 skippers to compete so far, only 114 have crossed the finish line. The 2024-2025 event will be its 10th edition, bringing extra excitement and an additional edge of competitiveness. 

Who is taking part? 

For this record edition, 40 participants have completed the required qualifying stages, 15 of whom will be tackling the race for the first time, the highest ever number of ‘rookies’. Hailing from several different nations, the skippers represent an impressive cross-section of the sailing world, all with a common goal: to get around the world as safely and quickly as possible so that they grab a place on the podium early next year. 

The oldest and most experienced: Jean Le Cam  

Instantly recognisable, Jean Le Cam (65) is not only the event’s oldest skipper, he’ll now be the most experienced, as this is his 6th time competing in the Vendée Globe. Nicknamed ‘King Jean’, he knows all too well how dangerous this race can be: in 2009, he capsized 200 miles west of Cape Horn and was trapped in an upturned boat for 16 hours before being saved by fellow competitor, Vincent Riou. Then, in 2020, Jean became the rescuer for Kevin Escoffier who waited for 11 hours in a tiny lifeboat after his boat had broken in two. Despite these experiences, Le Cam maintains that the risks are not much greater than crossing a street in Paris; besides, he says, “I’m not dead yet!”. 

The youngest: Violette Dorange  

At 23, French-born Violette Dorange is no stranger to being the youngest; this was the case in  2019 when she crossed the Atlantic Ocean solo, in 2020 for the Solitaire du Figaro and in 2023, when she became the youngest female to sail the Atlantic single-handed at the helm of an Imoca. Unsurprisingly for a French sailor, she says that competing in the Vendée Globe has always been her dream. 

The hot favourites 

First up is Yannick Bestaven (51), the winner of the last Vendée Globe, which certainly puts him in a strong position. Although he could have stopped having gained the top spot, Bestaven says, “I want to see images of the South Seas again, so before thinking about results and winning back, I’m not getting into that pressure, I want to enjoy myself.” 

Next up is Jérémie Beyou (48) competing for the 5th time, after coming 3rd in 2016-17. One of the favourites in 2020, he was forced to return to the start for repairs and then set off again 9 days later yet still finished in 13th place. He’s certainly motivated for this year’s race! 

The ones to watch 

British Samantha Davies (50) is a highly experienced sailor and Cambridge graduate. This year will be her 4th time competing in the Vendée Globe, and she’ll be hoping to beat her previous best of 4th place back in 2008-9.  

Frenchman Thomas Ruyant (43) has a string of trophies from transatlantic races and this will be his 3rd Vendée Globe. In the last edition, he came in 6th place but for most of the race was in the top three spots, so he has what it takes for a podium spot. 

British competitor, Sam Goodchild (34) is on the line-up for the first time, but has an impressive track record and grew up on boats in the Caribbean. There’s no doubting Sam’s passion, skill and determination, which should see him through. 

Jingkun Xu (35) is one of China’s top sailing athletes, despite losing his left hand in an accident aged 12. He regularly places in the top three in sailing competitions and has been voted Personality of the Year in China several times, but this is his first Vendée Globe.  

FACT FILE

• History: Founded by French yachtsman Philippe Jeantot in 1989, and since 1992 it has taken place every four years. Named after the French département in which the race begins and ends. 
• Average distance: 28,000 miles / 52,000 kilometres 
• Time to complete: The first race was completed in 109 days. The fastest is 74 days and 3 hours, Armel Le Cléac’h in 2016/17
• Fatalities: The Vendée Globe has seen many injuries and even fatalities: Englishman Nigel Burgess was lost at sea in 1992 just three days into the race, while in 1997 Canadian Gerry Roufs died at sea, following his last communication, ‘The waves are not mere waves, they are the Alps.’ NOTE: some sources claim three fatalities as, in 1992, the American Mike Plant was lost at sea while heading from New York to the starting line for his second Vendée Globe.