The grand start of the Vendée Globe was given on Sunday at 1:02 p.m. for the official launch of the 10th edition of this solo sailing trip around the world.
The 2024 edition is officially launched. The 40 skippers set off from the port of Les Sables-d'Olonne on Sunday, November 10, in front of a huge crowd. After the emotion of the goodbyes, the sailors set out to tackle this solo sailing trip around the world, without stopovers or assistance, nicknamed “the Everest of the seas”, 24,300 theoretical miles long, i.e. 45,000 km.
At precisely 1:02 p.m., the sailors peacefully began their journey out to sea, with mild weather and weak wind (4 to 7 knots on average), if not non-existent. This unfavorable weather for speeding could last a few days and thus slow down the fleet, all the way off Cape Finisterre, in Spain.Franceinfo: sport offers you a selection of the most beautiful photos from the start.
A few hours before departure, the skippers say goodbye to their loved ones, not without emotion, before setting sail for several months. Here the British Sam Goodchild lets a few tears flow. (PIERRE BOURAS / AFP)
Among the favorites for victory and second in the last edition of the Vendée Globe, Charlie Dalin (Apivia-Macif Santé Prévoyance) greets the crowd in Les Sables-d'Olonne. (CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT / AFP)
Defending champion Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq) heads up the channel to join the starting line of the 2024 Vendée Globe. (SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS / AFP)
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Les Sables d'Olonne, like here along the channel, a few hours before the start of the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe, on November 9, 2024. (PIERRE BOURAS / AFP)
Japanese skipper Kojiro Shiraishi (DMG Mori Global One) appears in traditional attire when greeting the public in Les Sables-d'Olonne. (CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT / AFP)
Chinese skipper Jingkun Xu (China Dream) had the same idea as his Japanese opponent at the start. (CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT / AFP)
A crowd of curious people gathered on the pontoons in Les Sables-d'Olonne to wish the 40 skippers well on their way to the start of the 2024 Vendée Globe. (ESTELLE RUIZ / AFP)
Violette Dorange is the youngest of this edition. At only 23 years old, the young sailor is one of six women entered, a record. (CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT / AFP)
Damien Seguin, disabled sports skipper, donned his Captain Hook costume to take part in his second start of the Vendée Globe. (CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT / AFP)
The start of the 10th edition was given at 1:02 p.m., on November 10, 2024, on time and without penalty for the skippers, but the wind was lacking. (LOIC VENANCE / AFP)
Charlie Dalin's Imoca MACIF, one of the favorites for victory, takes off after the start in Les Sables-d'Olonne on Sunday. (LOIC VENANCE / AFP)
