If it was easy, anybody could do it

It was all triumph for Clarisse Crémer (FRA) in the 2020-21 Vendée Globe as the first female skipper to finish from the field of 33 starters. Her finish time set a new around the world eastabout women’s record in both the solo and open categories, improving on the time set by Ellen MacArthur (GBR) 20 years earlier.

The accomplishment earned her consideration for the Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award, but after having a baby in November 2022, she was dropped by her sponsor a few months later out of concern for her ability to compete in the 2024-25Vendée Globe.

The incident got significant negative publicity, which attracted a new sponsor, boat, and team in April 2023, but Crémer then had to face cheating allegations in the 2020-21 Vendée Globe. An anonymous source alleged in February 2024 that she outside navigation assistance, which is against race rules.

After an investigation confirmed in March 2024 that no misconduct had occurred, Crémer was finally able to solely focus on qualifying for the 2024-25 race, a feat she accomplished when the entry list was released July 2024.

Her scheduled had included the Rolex Fastnet Race (July 2023, 695nm), Azimut Challenge-Lorient (Sept. 2023, 638nm), Transat Jacques Vabre (Nov. 2023, 3,750 nm), Retour à la Base (Nov. 2023, 3500nm), Transat CIC (Apr. 2024, 2950nm), and New York-Vendée (May 2024, 3200nm).

Among the six female skippers, Clarisse now has just a few days to finalize the last details before setting off November 10 among 40 competitors on her second round-the-world race.

Event information – Entry list – Facebook

The Vendée Globe, raced in the 60-foot IMOCA, is the elite race round the world, solo, non-stop, and without assistance. On November 10, 40 skippers will start the 2024-25 edition which begins and ends in Les Sables d’Olonne, France. Armel Le Cléac’h, winning in 2017, holds the record for the 24300 nm course of 74 days 03 hours 35 minutes 46 seconds. Only one sailor has won it twice: Michel Desjoyeaux in 2001 and 2009. This is tenth running of the race.