Vendée Globe 2024: The Ultimate Solo Sailing Challenge Begins
Forty skippers embark on the perilous, non-stop race around the world, facing both natural hazards and technical challenges.
- The Vendée Globe, often dubbed the 'Everest of the Seas,' is a solo, non-stop sailing race covering over 40,000 kilometers.
- The race starts on November 10, 2024, with 40 competitors from diverse backgrounds, including both seasoned professionals and ambitious amateurs.
- Advancements in technology, such as foils and lightweight materials, have increased boat speeds but also their fragility, requiring skippers to be adept at on-the-spot repairs.
- Safety measures have evolved since the race's inception, yet the dangers of the Southern Ocean and the ever-present risk of collision with floating debris remain significant.
- Interest in the race continues to grow, with over a million visitors attending the pre-race village, highlighting the event's blend of human endurance and cutting-edge maritime innovation.