Vendée Globe: Repairs in the battlefield

Of the 40 boat that started the 2024-25 Vendée Globe on November 10, the question is always how many will return for the finish in Les Sables d’Olonne, France. The 24,300 nm course round the world is not kind, with trouble starting early for these solo skippers:

• Clarisse Crémer (L’OCCITANE en Provence): Just as she was getting off to a great start in the race, she lost her biggest sail off the coast of Portugal. Her large MHO gennaker unexpectedly unfurled, depriving her of this precious headsail. – Full report

• Maxime Sorel (V and B – Monbana-Mayenne): He started with a gennaker problem that was quickly resolved with a patch, then the mainsail hook. It is now jammed and while trying to repair it, Maxime injured his ankle. Since then Sorel has been struggling to find a solution so he has elected to seek shelter in Madeira to climb the mast and try to make repairs. – Full report

• Szabolcs Weöres (NEW EUROPE): In winds of 30-40 knots and unruly seas about 200 miles offshore of Porto, his boat was knocked down, resulting in significant damage to the mainsail and his small A7 headsail. The A7 remains tightly wrapped around the forestay, and is sailing toward an area of lighter winds to untangle it. As for mainsail repairs, his plan is to head toward Madeira to use the island as a windbreak. – Full report

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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 started 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 24,300 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.