In the opinion of those involved, this Vendée Globe is undoubtedly the most open in history. The level of the Imoca circuit has never been so high and there are a good ten out of 40 at the start who can hope to win in the second half of January in Les Sables-d'Olonne. Here is our ranking of the favorites of this 10th edition.
Charlie Dalin****
Four years ago he crossed the finish line first but was ranked second behind Yannick Bestaven, credited with ten hours for participating in the rescue of Kevin Escoffier. Since then, Charlie Dalin has only one idea in mind, to prepare everything as best as possible so that this time victory does not elude him. “It is certain that I have revenge to take with the Vendée Globe. And I have progressed, because it was only my second solo race, in an Imoca, in my entire career. Since then, I have done a lot. I have the feeling of arriving at the start with a lot more experience and a more accomplished boat than in 2020.” Winner of the New York-Vendée at the start of the year, the Normand arrives at 40 years old with a very efficient boat that left the shipyards a year and a half ago.
Yoann Richomme ****
Newbie and winner, there are several who have achieved this masterstroke and Yoann Richomme has the perfect costume to achieve this feat again. Everyone cites him among the big favorites despite the handicap of never having sailed in the southern seas. The double winner of the Solitaire du Figaro and winner of The Transat this year remains cautious despite everything. “Our goal is to finish the Vendée Globe above all and then to achieve a great result. That's why we're going to fight, but I would still like to do the tour and have a finality to this project and not come back after a week.” With his Imoca, launched in February 2023, whose living area is very bright, the 40-year-old Breton could quickly make a name for himself.
Thomas Ruyant ****
Since his sixth place four years ago for his second Vendée Globe, the Northerner has had one big victory per year: Transat Jacques Vabre 2021 and 2023, Route du Rhum 2022. At 43, Thomas Ruyant is ready to seek consecration but knows the hazards of a solo world tour. “There have been some very good victories since the last Vendée. That gives us confidence. We have the status of favorite at the start of the next Vendée. That's where we wanted to be. That's a given. But these are victories on deckchairs And the Vendée Globe is something else. There will be ten of us who can win. in hand. I have the boat that I dreamed of having a real Vendée Globe boat.” His Imoca was launched a year and a half ago.
Boris Herrmann ***
He came very close to the feat (5th) four years ago and without an accident with a fishing boat on the last night of the race, the German would have finished on the podium for his first participation. Four years later, he returns having confirmed his status with numerous places of honor on the various deckchairs aboard his new Imoca launched in July 2022 (2nd in The Transat and the New York-Vendée) .
The very experienced sailor could round Cape Horn for the seventh time and perhaps become the first foreigner to win the race. He prefers to put pressure on the French skippers: “For me, the favorites are rather Thomas Ruyant and Yoann Richomme. I think Charlie Dalin will be a formidable competitor on the Atlantic. His boat is optimized for shallow waters or for a moderate seas. I think in the Southern Ocean we will see the other two competitors mentioned potentially upwind with faster average speeds. I hope the same for us.
Jérémie Beyou ***
The Breton is the most experienced on this list of favorites by taking the start this year of his fourth Vendée Globe, a race where luck has rarely turned in his favor except during the 2016 edition where he took the podium behind Gabart and Le Cléac’h. The sailor who became a young father again a few months ago seems more serene as he approaches this new challenge. Despite everything, he remains cautious about the predictions.
“Being a favorite in a Vendée Globe doesn't mean much. You shouldn't get carried away with these signs of favorites, it doesn't guarantee anything at all. Look, four years ago we announced Dalin, Thomson and Beyou, we today everyone has progressed, it will make it more difficult but that's what drives us if everything was decided in advance maybe we wouldn't be there. chances that the fight will be enough nice. If we are mentioned it means we worked hard but that doesn't mean I'm going to win, time will tell.”
Sam Goodchild ***
Although the native of Bristol (England) has not yet started a Vendée Globe, he already knows the emotions having participated in Mike Golding's project in 2008. Skipper of the former boat of Thomas Ruyant, the sailor of 34 years old positions himself on the lookout. “Thomas, Yoann and Charlie are the three most successful projects, also with Jérémie. Then there are around ten skippers capable of bothering them if they make the slightest mistake. I'm one of them so I'm happy to be one outsider.” With Boris Herrmann, the Englishman is the only foreigner to be able to put his name on the list alongside the winning French but he does not use it as motivation.
“I don't want to win the Vendée Globe because I'm English. I just want to win the Vendée Globe. Will it be the one? I don't know. I'm going to do my best and then we'll see what happens at the end. But I'm not going into this Vendée Globe telling myself that I'm here to win it, but we have a very efficient boat and project, very well prepared.
Samantha Davies **
The most Breton of the British enters this category of favorites for the first time in three participations. With his experience and a new boat, “Sam” could come and tickle the leaders of the class. “It's the first time that I feel that we are capable of fighting with the best. It's great, I'm super proud. It happened in the last races, we proved ourselves. But that puts a bit of pressure because the Vendée Globe is not a transatlantic race. Am I capable of doing it ten times longer? I dream of being in the match with this small group of favorites. Certainly, if Samantha Davies, 4th in 2008, became the first woman on the highest step of the “Everest of the seas”, the joy of many fans would be at its peak.
To this non-exhaustive list we should also add the names of Nicolas Lunven, a rookie but very experienced, and Louis Burton, 3rd in the last edition who could create a surprise.
