The Vendée Globe is a single-handed, non-stop, and unassisted round-the-world yacht race. It's considered the ultimate test of human endurance and sailing skill. The race takes competitors through some of the most challenging waters on Earth, including the Southern Ocean with its fierce winds and dangerous icebergs. The first race was run in 1989–90 and has been run every four years ever since.
But, the Vendée Globe is more than just a grueling solo yacht race around the world. It's a platform for raising awareness about the critical state of our oceans and a showcase of cutting-edge technology for sailor safety. The race uses its global spotlight to highlight the dangers of climate change on the world's oceans. Sailors witness these changes firsthand, particularly around Antarctica, a region especially vulnerable to warming. And the race prioritizes sailor safety with a virtual Antarctic Exclusion Zone (AEZ) designed to keep competitors away from treacherous ice. This zone is monitored by CLS, a company specializing in satellite tracking and data analysis.
CLS uses three types of satellites to track icebergs that could threaten sailors: cloud-piercing radar to detect icebergs day and night, optical satellites for visual confirmation, and altimetric satellites repurposed from sea level measurement to identify icebergs. This space-based monitoring system wouldn't be possible without partnerships with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the French space agency, CNES. These collaborations allow the Vendée Globe to utilize cutting-edge technology: Sentinel-1A, a radar satellite from ESA for real-time ice monitoring, and SWOT, a revolutionary altimetric satellite launched in 2022 by CNES that maps risk areas and predicts iceberg movement. The company has a large team working on the ground using AI-powered tools to analyze data from satellites and forecast models. This allows them to adjust the AEZ in real-time, ensuring optimal safety for the sailors.
The Vendée race is open to monohull yachts conforming to the Open 60 class criteria. Prior to 2004, the race was also open to Open 50 boats. The Open classes are unrestricted in certain aspects, but a box rule governs parameters such as overall length, draught, appendages and stability, as well as numerous other safety features. Irrespective of the boats and the experience level of the sailors, the race still presents significant challenges for everyone; most notably 1) the severe wind and wave conditions in the Southern Ocean, 2) the long unassisted duration of the race, and 3) the fact that the course takes competitors far from the reach of any normal emergency response. A significant proportion of the entrants usually retire, and in the 1996–97 race Canadian Gerry Roufs was lost at sea.
The Vendée Globe is not a traditional around the world route, it covers primarily two oceans with basically the following 3 sections: 1) a straight shot down the Atlantic leaving from Europe 2) Circumnavigate Antartica; and 3) back up the Atlantic to Europe for the last leg. The scariest points on the journey are essentially the entry and exit points for the freezing cold Southern Ocean, i.e. middle part of the race around Antartica. The entry point is the Cape of Good Hope off of South Africa; the exit point is Cape Horn off the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile.
The Cape of Good Hope is treacherous. It used to be called the Cape of Storms, and for good reason. The Agulhas Current that runs along the East African coast descending after Madagascar and running along the Mozambique Channel. And just before the Cape of Good Hope, this current diverges from the coast and then makes a 180-degree turn, a big reversal off the tip of the African continent. At this point, it generates whirlpools with very strong currents (up to 2.5 knots). These are the rings of the Agulhas Current, well known to sailors. This part of the ocean also has a phenomenon that creates "holes" (troughs) in the ocean. This strange anomaly off the coast of South Africa has been witnessed by many a sailor and is said to create extremely high waves, sometimes exceeding 80 feet tall (24 meters). These waves are sometimes big enough to sink any size vessel, never mind a small sailboat. So the Vendée Globe sailors try to pass far enough away from the Cape of Good Hope that they avoid this danger. But they do run close enough to it so that they can catch the edge of the reversal of the strong Agulhas Current and be helped on their way eastwards around Antartica. It's a dangerous game to play and is not for the faint of heart.
After the sailors make it through the entry point and around Antartica in some of the fastest currents and strongest winds on the planet, they then face the biggest test, the Cape Horn exit point in Chile. Cape Horn is considered one of the most dangerous places in the world for sailors, if not the most dangerous, due to its extreme weather conditions. There have been numerous shipwrecks and the loss of many lives throughout history, earning this area the reputation as a "sailor's graveyard.". Cape Horn holds many dangers for sailors, e.g. violent storms - the area around the Horn frequently experiences sudden and intense storms with powerful winds that can easily capsize ships. Huge waves - the confluence of ocean currents creates massive waves that can engulf vessels. Icebergs - depending on the season, icebergs can be present in the waters around Cape Horn, posing a significant collision risk. Foggy conditions - thick fog often blankets the area, further hindering visibility and navigation. Rocky coastline - the rugged coastline near Cape Horn provides little shelter for ships caught in storms.
Right now the fleet is heading down into the danger zone. You can follow the action at https://www.vendeeglobe.org/en. There is even a "Virtual Regatta Ranking"for you to follow these intrepid sailors as they journey around the globe.
Above all, let's hope everyone makes it back to France in one piece.
