Mastering the Mental Game
Published on January 20th, 2025
Mindset Coach and specialist Scott Stevenson coached Boris Herrmann in the run up to the 2024-25 Vendée Globe, and in this report shares the psychological side of preparing for solo round the world race with Herrmann’s Team Director Holly Cova:
The first step in cultivating a winning mindset is clarity of purpose. “You need to know the destination,” says Stevenson. “The brain thrives on certainty, so setting clear goals helps it navigate the journey step-by-step.” This is crucial when preparing for a race like the Vendée Globe, where uncertainty and danger are constant companions.
Top sailors must establish their identity; how they see themselves and their capabilities. Stevenson explains that a sailor’s identity shapes their mindset. If you view yourself as capable, decisive, and able to thrive under pressure, that belief will influence how you act, especially when faced with adversity.
“There’s a clear progression: First, you think you can do it; then, you believe you can do it; and finally, some individuals know they can do it, even before the outcome is certain,” Stevenson adds. This mindset is not about blind optimism, but rather a deep-rooted self belief that empowers sailors to act decisively in high-pressure situations.
The Vendée Globe is notorious for its harsh extreme conditions and its requirement for sailors to handle everything alone, without external coaching. In these circumstances, setbacks are inevitable. But how do you bounce back when things go wrong? Stevenson emphasizes the importance of mental regulation, especially in high stress environments.
“The ability to regulate emotions and calm the nervous system is critical,” says Stevenson. “When the body is in a heightened state of stress, rational thinking becomes difficult. If you can bring the body into a more manageable state, you’ll be able to make better decisions and focus on the task at hand.”
For sailors, emotional agility is key: the ability to be aware of their emotional state, to regulate it, and to adjust their thinking when the unexpected occurs. “Setbacks are inevitable, but they don’t have to define you,” Stevenson asserts. “It’s about reframing the situation, finding gratitude in the struggle and looking at it as a learning experience.”
While the goal of any race is to win, Stevenson reminds that there’s more to the journey than just the finish line. In a race as long and grueling as the Vendée Globe, staying focused on a broader purpose can help sailors maintain perspective during the toughest moments.
“Winning is not everything. There’s a deeper purpose to the journey,” Stevenson says. “The story you tell, the lessons you learn, and the example you set for others can be more significant than a podium finish. The Vendée Globe is about personal growth, mental fortitude, and the commitment to a cause, whether it’s sustainability, adventure, or something more personal.”
During the hardest moments, the race becomes a reflection of the sailor’s identity and purpose. When setbacks occur, the focus shifts from external outcomes to internal growth. “What have you learned? What can you do differently next time? How have you stayed true to your purpose?” Stevenson suggests that these are the questions to ask when facing the inevitable hardships of a solo ocean race.
The Vendée Globe isn’t just a test of physical endurance, it’s a test of emotional and psychological strength. It requires clarity of purpose, the ability to regulate emotions, and a resilient attitude when setbacks inevitably arise.
Current Results
1. Charlie Dalin (FRA): 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes, 49 seconds
2. Yoann Richomme (FRA): 65 days, 18 hours, 10 minutes, 2 seconds
3. Sébastien Simon (FRA): 67 days, 12 hours, 25 minutes, 37 seconds
Race updates – Tracker – Ranking – Arrival times – Facebook
Attrition:
Nov. 15: Maxime Sorel (FRA), V and B – Monbana – Mayenne, ankle injury, mast damage
Dec. 4: Louis Burton (FRA), Bureau Vallée, rigging failure
Dec. 15: Pip Hare (GBR), Medallia, dismasted
Dec. 16: Szabolcs Weöres (HUN), New Europe, broken D2 shroud
Dec. 30: Yannick Bestaven (FRA), Maître CoQ V, steerage damage
Jan. 12: Éric Bellion (FRA), STAND AS ONE – Altavia, broken J2 forestay pin
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, previously held 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.