About the Vendée Globe

What is the Vendée Globe?

The Vendée Globe is the world’s toughest solo, nonstop, and unassisted sailing race around the globe. Held every four years, this ultimate test of endurance, skill, and determination starts and finishes in Les Sables d’Olonne, France.

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Sailors navigate 24,000 nautical miles through the treacherous waters of the Southern Ocean, facing extreme weather, towering waves, and complete isolation. With no outside assistance allowed, competitors must rely solely on their expertise and resilience to complete the journey.

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The race is sailed on high-performance foiling IMOCA 60 yachts, which rise above the water on hydrofoils, reaching incredible speeds.

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​​​Dubbed the "Everest of the Seas," the Vendée Globe pushes the limits of human and technological performance, attracting the best ocean racers from around the world.