The Vendée Globe, showcase and breeding ground for a department – ​​Libération

A springboard for local politicians, such as the current Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, the solo race has also won the loyalty of local businesses, while attracting tourists to Sables-d'Olonne and popularizing water sports.

Launched in 1989 by the navigator Philippe Jeantot, with the support of Philippe de Villiers, then president of the general council of Vendée, and Louis Guédon, mayor of Sables-d'Olonne, this world tour without stopover or assistance has not ceased to gain momentum over the last nine editions. It also clearly served as a springboard for political figures in the region, starting with the very right-wing Bruno Retailleau, senator then Minister of the Interior, who cut his teeth with Villiers in Puy du Fou, before succeeding him as president. of the general council of the department.

Today, after the discreet Yves Auvinet, it is the turn of Alain Leboeuf, current president of the general council and of the mixed economy company (Saem) Vendée – organizer of the race –, put into orbit by Retailleau and former support of François Fillon during the 2017 presidential election, to capitalize on the colossal success of the Vendée Globe. Omnipotent, he almost claims paternity, with a strong tendency to pull the rug out for himself, seeming to annoy even his own ranks. As for Yannick Moreau, the current mayor of Sables-d'Olonne, another former disciple of Villiers and Retailleau whose campaigns he once led, he managed to invite