Sunday November 10, the 40 Vendée Globe skippers will take the start of the 10th edition of the legendary race around the world. From 8 a.m., the boats will leave the pontoon one by one, every three minutes. The first to cast off will be Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance), one of the favorites of the event.
The sailors will descend the channel, the opportunity to communicate one last time with the public after three weeks of excitement and intense discussions about the village.
Follow the departure from home
Two direct departures will be produced by the organization, the first from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for the pontoon departure, then from 12:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. for the departure at sea. Thanks to advanced technical means, real-time data and new graphic designs, these live broadcasts promise to be captivating for the public.
Several options are available to spectators to follow the start from home:
Television: Many channels around the world will broadcast the live departure from the pontoon and at sea. The list will be revealed on November 6. Digital: The event will be broadcast live on the Vendée Globe YouTube channel, the race website, and the official Facebook page.
Follow the departure to Les Sables d’Olonne
On the village
The Vendée Globe village will open its doors from 7 a.m. to welcome visitors. Access is reserved for holders of an e-ticket, available like the other opening days on the official race website. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of departure and to see the skippers set sail from the quay, the pontoon being closed to the public (November 9 and 10). Giant screens will broadcast the live departures to the village and the stands will remain open until 8 p.m. to extend the experience.
The channel
Spectators will be able to gather along the channel, with sound systems for the occasion to accompany the passage of the 40 boats. As the public is expected in large numbers, the organization calls for kindness to guarantee everyone an optimal experience. On the Chaume side, a giant screen will be installed at the foot of the Arundel Tower.
The embankment
It is also possible to see the start from the large beach of Sables d'Olonne, but binoculars are nevertheless recommended to better appreciate the spectacle. We will find a giant screen on the sea base, close to the channel, oriented towards the main beach.
Please note, traffic will be greatly disrupted in Les Sables d'Olonne from the evening of the 9th, all information can be found on the town's website.
Other viewpoints around the city
For those who prefer less crowded places, the beaches of Tanchet, the Puits d'Enfer, the bay of Cayola, as well as the beaches of La Paracou and Sauveterre also offer views of the departure area. However, you will need to bring binoculars to enjoy the show.
These spaces are Natura 2000 zones (ZPS FR5400469 Pertuis Charentais & ZPS FR5212015 Marine sector of Île d'Yeu), the organization invites the public to be particularly vigilant to respect fragile ecosystems: stay on marked trails, respect the instructions on site, do not leave any waste and avoid any trampling so as not to endanger the animal and plant species on these sites.
For boaters
Boaters will also be able to observe the departure at sea from a specific area, which will be determined on November 6 and can be viewed on the interactive map of the Vendée Globe website. The port of Les Sables d'Olonne will be closed from 6 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Compliance with safety instructions and increased vigilance are essential for the smooth sailing of the departure at sea.
Thanks to this complete system, everyone will be able to fully experience the emotion of this departure, a moment of high intensity celebrating adventure and challenge!
Front page visual: © Vincent Curutchet
