The Vendée Globe, the famous solo sailing race around the world, is proud to present its very first mascot: Adélie, the penguin. Endemic to Antarctica, the South Pole continent that sailors circumnavigate on their round-the-world voyage, the Adélie penguin is directly threatened by global warming. Adélie has been chosen to be the spokesperson for the Vendée Globe's commitment to ocean preservation.

Adélie embodies the family-friendly and accessible dimension of the Vendée Globe, while conveying a strong message about ocean preservation. 

Terre-Adélie, where this species of penguin is found, is part of the TAAF, the French Southern and Antarctic Lands - an ocean partner of the event - as are the Crozet and Kerguelen archipelagos, the Saint-Paul and Amsterdam islands, and the Éparses islands. These archipelagos have a strong link with the Vendée Globe: the ship Marion Dufresne, used to supply the TAAF scientific bases, has been involved on numerous occasions in rescue operations for Vendée Globe skippers in difficulty in this region. 

The Terre-Adélie district has no inhabitants, but scientists work there around the clock, supported by technical staff from the French Polar Institute (logisticians, cooks, plumbers, electricians, machine operators, etc.) and the TAAF (district manager, telecom technicians and doctors). On the other hand, there are plenty of penguins! Several articles will be dedicated to this species in the "Ocean" section of the race website, to raise awareness of the threats posed by global warming. 

Amascot to meet in the village

To the delight of young and old alike, the mascot will be wandering around and handing out gifts in the race village from its opening on October 19 to its closing on the evening of the sailors' departure on November 10. 

"To convey messages in favor of preserving the oceans, it was obvious for us to choose French manufacturing" explains Alain Leboeuf, President of the Vendée Globe and the Vendée Department. Indeed, the Adélie mascot was designed and manufactured in France. Even better, the plush toy version, available for sale in limited quantities on the official store, is also Made in France!