The emotion was intense, very intense, this Sunday morning on the pontoons of Port Olona. The 40 skippers of the Vendée Globe, who will set off for the solo round-the-world trip without stopover and without assistance this afternoon at 1:02 p.m., have said goodbye to dry land. And to their loved ones, all gathered on the pontoons.
Emotion for the Vendée Globe skippers
Charlie Dalin (Macif) was the first to take off, quickly followed by 2020 winner Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq) and Samantha Davies (Initiatives-Coeur).
READ ALSO. Experience the start day of the Vendée Globe live on video HERE
The youngest of the fleet Violette Dorange, very surrounded by her family until the end, was the last to leave the Sablais port. Very smiling until then, the young 23-year-old skipper was overcome by strong emotion in the channel, invaded by tens of thousands of spectators. Relive the morning in pictures.
The first supporters arrived very early on Sunday night, to reserve the best places along the Imoca route. | PHOTO: FRANCK DUBRAY / WEST-FranceView full screen The first supporters arrived very early on Sunday night, to reserve the best places along the Imoca route. | PHOTO: FRANCK DUBRAY / WEST-FRANCE
Charlie Dalin, the Macif skipper, was the first to say goodbye to dry land, he who came second in the 2020 edition and had only known the empty channel four years ago, due to Covid-19. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME SALIGOT / WEST-FRANCEView full screen
Charlie Dalin, the Macif skipper, was the first to say goodbye to dry land, he who came second in the 2020 edition and had only known the empty channel four years ago, due to Covid-19. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME SALIGOT / WEST-FRANCE
The crowd was waiting for Charlie Dalin, like the 39 other skippers who followed one another in the legendary Sables d'Olonne channel. | PHOTO: FRANCK DUBRAY / WEST FRANCEView full screen
The crowd was waiting for Charlie Dalin, like the 39 other skippers who followed one another in the legendary Sables d'Olonne channel. | PHOTO: FRANCK DUBRAY / WEST FRANCE
The crowd was gathered all along the route, banners and signs in hand to encourage the 40 sea adventurers. | PHOTO: FRANCK DUBRAY / WEST FRANCEView full screen
The crowd was gathered all along the route, banners and signs in hand to encourage the 40 sea adventurers. | PHOTO: FRANCK DUBRAY / WEST FRANCE
Samantha Davies (Initiatives Cœur) was the first of six sailors to cross the channel, towards the open sea. | PHOTO: FRANCK DUBRAY / WEST FRANCEView full screen
Samantha Davies (Initiatives Cœur) was the first of six sailors to cross the channel, towards the open sea. | PHOTO: FRANCK DUBRAY / WEST FRANCE
For almost two hours, goodbyes followed one another on the pontoons, like here with Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) and his loved ones. The English skipper is taking part in his first Vendée Globe. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME SALIGOT / WEST-FRANCEView full screen
For almost two hours, goodbyes followed one another on the pontoons, like here with Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) and his loved ones. The English skipper is taking part in his first Vendée Globe. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME SALIGOT / WEST-FRANCE
The last moments of Guirec Soudée (Freelance.com) with his daughter, on the pontoons, before leaving for three months at sea. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME SALIGOT / WEST-FRANCEView full screen
The last moments of Guirec Soudée (Freelance.com) with his daughter, on the pontoons, before leaving for three months at sea. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME SALIGOT / WEST-FRANCE
Navigator Thomas Coville (left), sixth in the 2000 Vendée Globe and now skipper of the Ultim Sodebo, came to greet Boris Herrmann (Malizia SeaExplorer) before his departure. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME SALIGOT / WEST-FRANCEView full screen
Navigator Thomas Coville (left), sixth in the 2000 Vendée Globe and now skipper of the Ultim Sodebo, came to greet Boris Herrmann (Malizia SeaExplorer) before his departure. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME SALIGOT / WEST-FRANCE
Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable), sixth in 2020, greets the earth before leaving for three months of competition. This is his third solo world tour. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME SALIGOT / WEST-FRANCEView full screen
Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable), sixth in 2020, greets the earth before leaving for three months of competition. This is his third solo world tour. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME SALIGOT / WEST-FRANCE
Like every four years, the Sables d'Olonne channel was crowded to applaud the skippers one last time. | PHOTO: JOËL LE GALL / WEST-FRANCEView full screen
Like every four years, the Sables d'Olonne channel was crowded to applaud the skippers one last time. | PHOTO: JOËL LE GALL / WEST-FRANCE
The joy of Breton Benjamin Ferré in the channel, encouraged by the Sablais. | PHOTO: JOËL LE GALL / WEST-FRANCEView full screen
The joy of Breton Benjamin Ferré in the channel, encouraged by the Sablais. | PHOTO: JOËL LE GALL / WEST-FRANCE
Supporters even occupied the roofs of surrounding buildings. “Good luck!”, they wish the sailors. | PHOTO: FRANCK DUBRAY / WEST FRANCEView full screen
Supporters even occupied the roofs of surrounding buildings. “Good luck!”, they wish the sailors. | PHOTO: FRANCK DUBRAY / WEST FRANCE
Alan Roura (Hublot) started among the last in the channel. The emotion was intense for the Swiss, tears in his eyes. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME SALIGOT / WEST-FRANCEView full screen
Alan Roura (Hublot) started among the last in the channel. The emotion was intense for the Swiss, tears in his eyes. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME SALIGOT / WEST-FRANCE
It was finally Violette Dorange (DeVenir), the youngest sailor in the Imoca fleet, who brought up the rear, around 10 a.m. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME SALIGOT / WEST-FRANCEView full screen
It was finally Violette Dorange (DeVenir), the youngest sailor in the Imoca fleet, who brought up the rear, around 10 a.m. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME SALIGOT / WEST-FRANCE
The 40 skippers will set off for 45,000 kilometers, according to the theoretical route, around the world. The first are expected within 70 to 80 days for their return to Sables-d'Olonne.
