Image: © Vincent Curutchet / Alea / VG2024
The record sized fleet of 40 solo sailors enjoyed a gentle opening to the Vendée Globe this afternoon off Les Sables d’Olonne on the French Atlantic coast, crossing the start line of the mythical solo non-stop race around the world at 1302hrs (local time/1202hrs UTC) in a very modest 5-6kts of breeze under cloudy skies with a very watery November sun.
Whilst the slow start was largely welcomed by the skippers, much preferring the weak wind to the strong gales which have often affected the early stages of previous races, the first hours of the 24,500 nautical miles course will require a very high level of vigilance while the giant fleet of IMOCA 60 yachts remains compact and close together on the Bay of Biscay.
Daggerboarders delighted, foilers foiled….
In the light airs there was no opportunity for the latest generation of foiling IMOCA 60 footers to show their speed potential. Instead it proved a great chance for a few of the skippers with more modest budgets, sailing boats with straight daggerboards – which benefit from having less hardware dragging in the water – to enjoy a few hours up at the front of the pack.
Germany’s Boris Herrmann (Malizia-Seaexplorer) led the fleet away from the start gun on his foiling boat which as well as been optimised for the big winds and seas of the Southern Ocean is also slippery in the very light, sub eight knots wind. But also up with the top group early on was race rookie Szabolcs Weeöres (New Europe) who learned his racing skills in dinghies on Lake Balaton in his native Hungary and who was a newcomer to IMOCA solo racing just three years ago.
High emotion, low winds
Vendée Globe start day remains one of the most outstanding fan experiences in world sport and today was bigger and more emotional than ever, not least because four years ago the 2020-2021 race started ‘behind closed doors’ locked down by the global pandemic. For three months in the midst of that period this mythical race anchored the lives of people all around the world, especially in France. Following the skippers’ exploits was the perfect daily antidote to the stresses and strains of life under lockdown. The start of this tenth edition has been equal parts a ‘thank you’ to the race, the skippers, the organisers and the region, as it has been an expression of freedom in every sense.
Through the three-week build up to start day, unprecedented crowds have gathered in les Sables d’Olonne to file down the race pontoon and pay homage to the intrepid skippers and their boats. But today was one of celebration and high emotion. Crowds starting forming from 0430hrs, lining either side of Les Sables d’Olonne’s legendary channel – the tidal canal which brings craft into the heart of the town – and in one huge voice, over the course of two hours, bid the racers farewell, fair winds and a safe circumnavigation.
After losing his footing on the pontoon during his dock out - dropping partly into the water - New Zealander Conrad Colman found himself forced to start over an hour late after getting a rope snagged in his propellor on MS AMLIN. Adhering strictly to the starting protocols for getting help to sort his problem, the ‘Crazy Kiwi’ began his race at 1417hrs, an hour and 15 minutes after the fleet. But then, whether propelled by the added motivation of atoning for his pre-start problems, or just being better able to pick his way round the fleet in the building N’ly wind, Colman was leading the whole Vendée Globe fleet through the late afternoon as they head south towards Cape Finisterre on the NW corner of Spain where the winds are expected to be more than 25kts.
Building breeze
Winds are expected to strengthen. Strategically the key will be to get west to where the breeze is forecast to come in stronger but gybing downwind to use the little shifts in wind direction to make sure you are making the optimum speed most directly to the south. The leaders should be off Cape Finisterre by midday or early afternoon Monday.
They said:
Pip Hare (GBR, Medallia): “I’m pumped, absolutely pumped. I think everyone just wants to get away safely - that’s all we can ask. We know the breeze will build and we’ll be able to get sailing - it’s better this at the start than 30 knots of wind. The atmosphere is amazing and the welcome is brilliant from all these people here - it makes me feel good and it’s a great vibe. It feels like everyone feels like I do and has the same sense of excitement and love for the sport and they all want me to do well. It is just the most incredible experience.”
Szabolcs Weores (Hungary, New Europe): “I was very excited last night. I wouldn’t say that I slept well, but I know that before a race I won’t sleep. So I had a good sleep one night before – now I’m well rested and really looking forward to the start and being alone on the sea. The weather is quite nice - it’s perfect for the spectators, with light breeze so everyone can follow us. After that I hope we can get some good wind and go straight to the south.”
Conrad Colman (NZL, MS Amlin): “This is an incredible incredible day and it marks the end of an insane and incredible journey that has brought me here. Just getting this boat and this team to the start line today was three years of really non-stop work. It’s an incredible chapter of my life – I’m very excited about it, very proud of it and now I can’t wait to get going.”
Oliver Heer (SUI, Tut Gut): “It’s very special here and very intense – you have to savour this moment. We’ve all worked very hard to be here and it’s all culminating here now – I have very strong feelings inside. Four years ago I was on Hugo Boss with Alex (Thomson) in the channel, so I kind of know what it is. It will be very special and a memory to keep inside. When it gets difficult in the race it will be good to think back to this moment.”
Sam Davies (Initiatives Cœur): “I slept surprisingly well for the eve of the Vendée Globe. I can't wait to set off. I'm delighted to be one of the first to leave the pontoon. I'm going to have a little nap before the start and then work on the weather with my team. I'm really looking forward to this evening, out in the open sea, under the big gennaker, going all out, but the atmosphere is really incredible. There are people everywhere! D-Day is always a bit stressful, but I'm storing up all the energy here for the difficult times ahead. It's an honour to have this beautiful boat, Initiatives Cœur. I'm proud because we've worked hard and achieved some good results over the past two seasons, but I'm not putting too much pressure on myself either because it's a huge opportunity. I'm just going to carry on sailing as I have in previous races and try to put the pressure on those in front rather than on me!"