# 1989–1990 Vendée Globe

The 1989–1990 Vendée Globe Challenge, which later became the first edition of the Vendée Globe, was a non-stop round the world sailing race, sailed west to east. The start was 26 November 1989 from Les Sables-d'Olonne. Thirteen boats started and seven finished due to multiple abandonments, which is common in this "Everest of the Sea" that is the Vendée Globe. It was won by Titouan Lamazou on 15 March 1990 creating the first benchmark of the event, a record that stood until the 1996–1997 edition.

## Background

The inaugural Vendée Globe set off from Les Sables d'Olonne on 26 November 1989. Frenchman Titouan Lamazou, sailing Ecureuil d'Aquitaine II, won the race with a time of 109 days.
Philippe Jeantot, Vendée Globe founder, had problems with breakdowns, and then unfavorable winds, which held him back from the race lead. Philippe Poupon's ketch Fleury Michon X capsized in the Southern Ocean; and Poupon was rescued by Loïck Peyron, who finally finished second, in what was generally a successful first run of the race. Mike Plant, the lone American in the race, disqualified himself after receiving minor assistance near Campbell Island, New Zealand after a $5 rigging part on his sloop, Duracell, was damaged in the Pacific Ocean. Plant was scored Did not finish, but to the admiring French, he emerged a real hero after repairing the rigging and finishing the course as an unofficial competitor in 135 days, a new American single-handed circumnavigation record.
Race Director for the first edition was Denis Horeau, who went on to run further editions of the race.

## Competitors
### Profile Pictures

* Alain Gautier (FRA) Generali Concorde
* Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (FRA) 36.15 MET
* Loïck Peyron (FRA) Lada Poch
* Philippe Poupon (FRA) Fleury Michon X
* Titouan Lamazou (FRA) Écureuil d'Aquitaine II

### Entries Information

Participants 1989–1990 :
| Participant | Name | Architect | Boat builder | Year launched |
| Alain Gautier (FRA) | Generali Concorde | Jean-Marie Finot | Le Guen-Hémidy | 1989 |
| Bertie Reed (RSA) | Grinaker | Martin | JJ Provoyeur (AFS] | 1989 |
| Guy Bernardin (FRA) | O'Kay | Bruce Farr | Kiwi Builder | 1986 |
| Jean-François Coste (FRA) | Cacharel / Pen Duick III | Éric Tabarly | Chantiers et ateliers de la Perrière | 1967 |
| Jean-Yves Terlain (FRA) | UAP | Joubert-Nivelt | chantier Hervé et Pinta | 1986 |
| Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (FRA) | 36.15 MET | Philippe Harlé Alain Mortain | Garcia | 1989 |
| Loïck Peyron (FRA) | Lada Poch | Luc Bouvet Olivier Petit | Chantier Couach | 1986 |
| Mike Plant (USA) | Duracell | Rodger Martin | Mike Plant JF Galvao | 1989 |
| Patrice Carpentier (FRA) | Nouvel Observateur | Robert Nikerson | | 1985 |
| Pierre Follenfant (FRA) | TBS-Charente Maritime | Joubert-Nivelt | Chantier Hervé et Pinta | 1989 |
| Philippe Jeantot (FRA) | Crédit Agricole IV | Marc Lombard | Jeantot Marine | 1989 |
| Philippe Poupon (FRA) | Fleury Michon X | Philippe Briand | ATA Jeanneau | 1989 |
| Titouan Lamazou (FRA) | Écureuil d'Aquitaine II | Luc Bouvet Olivier Petit | Chantier Capitaine Flint | 1989 |

## Results

Table: Order of Finish, 1989–1990 Vendée Globe :
| Pos | Sailor | Yacht | Time |
| 1 | Titouan Lamazou (FRA) | Ecureuil d'Aquitaine II | 109d 08h 48' 50" |
| 2 | Loïck Peyron (FRA) | Lada Poch | 110d 01h 18' 06" |
| 3 | Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (FRA) | 36.15 MET | 112d 01h 14' 00" |
| 4 | Philippe Jeantot (FRA) | Crédit Agricole IV | 113d 23h 47' 47" |
| 5 | Pierre Follenfant (FRA) | TBS-Charente Maritime | 114d 21h 09' 06" |
| 6 | Alain Gautier (FRA) | Generali Concorde | 132d 13h 01' 48" |
| 7 | Jean-François Coste (FRA) | Cacharel | 163d 01h 19' 20" |
| DNF | Mike Plant (USA) | Duracell | Received minor assistance (New Zealand) but completed the course in 135 days |
| DNF | Patrice Carpentier (FRA) | Nouvel Observateur | Damaged auto-pilot (Falklands) |
| DNF | Bertie Reed | Grinaker | Damaged rudder |
| DNF | Jean-Yves Terlain (FRA) | UAP | Dismasted |
| DNF | Philippe Poupon (FRA) | Fleury Michon X | Capsized |
| DNF | Guy Bernardin (FRA) | O'Kay | Medical Issue Toothache |

## Incidents

* Philippe Poupon's boat was struck by a wave and ended up lying heeled at 90 degrees. Loïck Peyron, in a remarkable bit of seamanship, took the boat in tow, and after Philippe Poupon detached the mast the boat righted itself. A film of the event can be seen here.
* Jean-Yves Terlain dismasted south of Cape Town.
* Guy Bernardin was forced to retire due to a dental problem and made a stopover in Australia

## References and publications

* ↑ "Yachting's 1990 Honor Roll". Yachting. Vol. 170, no. 4. April 1991. ISSN 0043-9940. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
* ↑ "Vendée Globe 1989–90". Vendée Globe. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
* ↑ Byrne, Dan (27 January 1990). "'Roaring 40s' Claim 3 Sailboats". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
* ↑ Excerpt from Broken Seas by Marlin Bree Retrieved 8 October 2013
* ↑ "Denis Horeau appointed Race Director for the 8th Vendée Globe". Race Organisers. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
* ↑ "Document sans titre".
* ↑ "Document sans titre".
* ↑ "Document sans titre".
* ↑ "Document sans titre".
* ↑ "Document sans titre". Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
* ↑ "Document sans titre".
* ↑ "Edition 1989/1990 : Une grande course est née". Vendée Globe (in French). Archived from the original on 22 October 2004. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
* ↑ "Le Vendée Globe de Loïck Peyron". INA. Retrieved 9 December 2012.