The Vendée Globe Challenge is a solo, nonstop, unassisted round-the-world sailing race, starting from the town of Les Sables d'Olonne in Vendée (France).

This race takes place every 4 years, with the start generally scheduled for early November. The 9th edition, which started in 2020, ended with Yannick Bestaven taking the win.

The 10th edition ended in January 2025 with Charlie Dalin taking the win. The next start, for the 11th edition of the Vendée Globe, is scheduled for November 2028, in 768 days, from Les Sables-d'Olonne !

All boats entered in the Vendée Globe are IMOCA-class monohulls and therefore all measure 60 feet in length, with a draft of 14.76 feet. These highly canvassed boats are the most powerful monohulls to sail around the globe, helmed by a solo skipper.

These boats can reach top speeds of 40 knots downwind ! The IMOCA rules impose common characteristics on all boats, such as the mast, sails, … while other features are left to naval architects' discretion. The rules also regulate foils, the lifting appendages that allow the hull to rise out of the water when sailing downwind. Foils reduce drag, that is, friction with the water, and thereby improve the boat's gliding performance.

Safety requirements for solo sailors at sea require the monohull to be able to right itself without outside assistance and for the interior bulkheads to provide buoyancy in the event of a capsize or flooding.

The IMOCA rules also limit the number of sails carried during the race to a maximum of 8.

Catch all the latest news from the Vendée Globe Challenge and follow the progress of the race day by day !