The 10th race started in November with 40 sailors

Organizers of the Vendée Globe, the prestigious single-handed round-the-world sailing race, announced on Tuesday the list of 40 sailors who will set out from Les Sables-d’Olonne in November. Trying to succeed Yannick Bestaven.

Charlie Dalin (Macif), Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable), Jérémie Beyou (Charal) and Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkea) will be the favorites for the 10th edition “Mount Everest of the Sea”a round-the-world journey of approximately 45,000 kilometers.

But in the rest of the fleet the level within the hydrofoil monohulls is very even. Thirteen skippers have a latest generation boat equipped with these appendages that allow them to fly over the water.

German Boris Hermann (Malizia), Englishman Sam Davies (Initiatives Coeur) and Frenchmen Paul Melhart (Biotherm) and Maxime Sorel (VandB Monbana Mayenne) also have the weapons and experience needed to shine.

“This is the most competitive field ever.”Alex Thomson told AFP that he has won the Vendée Ballon d’Or five times, finishing on the podium twice (third in 2013 and second in 2017).

Skilled Creamer

The British sailor, now director of the L’Occitane Team Provence, celebrated on Tuesday Captain Clarisse Crémer officially electedHer former sponsor landed in early 2023 following controversy surrounding her fertility issues.

“Clarisse qualified after completing five races in a little over a year (…) There are so many mountains to climb in difficult conditions, so we are very proud to see her selected”He said.

A record 44 applications were received for the 10th Vendée Globe, causing headaches for the organization, which decided to limit the number of starters to 40. Sailors must accumulate mileage in qualifying races before a decision can be made.

After 13,727 miles (25,422 km) in two years, Kremer finished 37th, ahead of Chinese sailor Xu Jingkun (38th) and the youngest of the next Vendée team, Violette Dolange (39th), who will compete at the worlds at just 23 years old.

Hulk

Only the name of the 40th starter was completely unknown until Tuesday. The 36-year-old Swiss Olivier Heer benefited from the sole invitation of the organizers, especially the fees of the Englishmen James Harayda and Finistère François Guiffant.

“It was not an easy choice, these three captains were very worthy (…) I decided to play the selection game and choose between them in order of mileage ranking”Alain Leboeuf, president of the Vendée Globe, explained.

In May this year, Heer completed the Transat CIC mission between Lorient and New York despite power and autopilot outages for several days and rough sea conditions.

Among the other contenders we find Jean Le Cam, hero of the previous edition, who will participate for a record sixth time. Arnaud Boissières, the sailor from Les Sables d’Olonne, who has completed four Vendée Ballons d’Or (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020), will also be in the race.

Six of the sailors involved are women, the same number as in 2020/2021. The next one will depart from Les Sables d’Olonne on November 10. Yannick Bestaven, who is also on the line this year, won four years ago in 80 days, 3 hours and 44 minutes.