# 2020–2021 Vendée Globe

The 2020–2021 Vendée Globe was a non-stop round the world yacht race for IMOCA 60 class yachts crewed by only one person. It was the ninth edition of the race, which started and finished in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France. The race began on 8 November 2020, with the first finishers completing the course on 27 January 2021 with the 25th and final yacht to complete the race arrived on 5 March 2021.

## Report

With a record number of 33 starter and 25 finishers, there was also a record number of six female competitors. This race was exceptionally close with the first eight sailors separated by less than 24 hours and literally with 12 hours to go the winner was not determined. The reason for this was due to compression in the fleet caused by the weather systems in addition to the large number of competitive entries and some of the pre race favorites being among the non-finishers.

## Media exposure

The international media exposure reached an all-time high in part due to the event being able to proceed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its naturally isolative nature. With social mobility limited and large sectors of nations work force not working the race filled a void while other sport competitions were cancelled. The main spectator negatives happened at a national level with the race village not getting the usual hundred of thousands of visitors. The hardest thing for the international sailors was who could welcome them at the race finish with close family unable to attend, there was also reduced spectators and the race organisers made sure all the French competitors entered the finishing port during daylight hours to avoid the curfew restrictions.
The international coverage was led by daily show broadcasts on YouTube, Daily Motion and Facebook with the English edition led by Andi Robertson. The openness of the skippers to media varied, with Pip Hare and Boris Herrmann engaging extensively with online broadcast. There was also increasing media participation with the French skippers in the race. In terms of openness even at the front of the fleet the intentions of some sailors were open while others hid both sail plans and the extent of damage to the other boats until after the race finish.
It had high-profile followers with French President Emmanuel Macron and the Prince of Monaco engaging in the race and its media.
Alongside the race for the fourth time a web based online routing game mirroring the race ran by Virtual Regatta this was the largest ever online sailing game with 1,000,000 unique users. It was won by French sailor Jean-Claude Goudon, whose user name was “tigrou26120,” finished in a time of 68 days, 22 hours, 16 minutes and 4 seconds.

## Public interest

The unique thing about the Vendee Globe is the characters involved due to the challenges. Sailors that waited to the last minute allowing them to secure sponsorship were Alexia Barrier, Ari Huusela and Pip Hare. Sailors had different objectives – from Ari Huusela on a lifetime adventure with the only aim to complete the race through to the long time challengers like Alex Thompson who had a win at all cost mentality.
Former winner Alain Gautier in post race explained how Benjamin Dutreux, Damien Seguin, Yannick Bestaven and Louis Burton were the few sailing their boats closest to their potential in terms of speed, but he also admired the approach of Boris Herrmann who had a more conservative approach.

## Incidents
### PRB sinking and rescue

On day 22 of the race, Kevin Escoffier (FRA)'s yacht, PRB, suddenly broke apart and sank in the Roaring Forties, 840 miles southwest of Cape Town. He was rescued by fellow competitor Jean Le Cam (FRA). He later described how the boat literally folded in half and he struggled to release the life raft due to the speed of the situation.
The sailors that were involved in the rescue were awarded time compensation by the International Jury for their assistance with the following
    (1) Jean Le Cam was awarded a 16hr 15min time compensation for rescuing Kevin Escoffier.
    (2) Boris Herrmann was awarded a 6hr time compensation for aiding in the rescue.
    (3) Yannick Bestaven was awarded a 10hr 15min time compensation for aiding in the rescue.

### Hydrofoil damage

The introduction of hydrofoils to the 2016 edition of the race lead to their largescale adoption amongst the fleet. There was intense discussion about the cost, efficiency, vulnerability, sea keeping effects and structural implication of the development. Certainly their efficiency was shown with both "L’Occitane En Provence" and "Charal" sailing through the fleet and the foiler finishing in the top 3 position winning the short drag race to the finish the weather systems created.
Both Thomas Ruyant and Charlie Dalin suffered hydrofoil issues that compromised their race. Boris Herrmann also suffered foil damage in his collision with a fishing boat although it could be argued the impact to the foils stopped the deck spreaders from breaking. The sinking of PRB and its links to foil is at present unknown but certainly the boat had undergone extensive modification to refit and Kevin described the way the boat accelerated before failing. Their benefits in a seaway was also questioned as was the ride given by semi foiling nature with sailors saying the fully retractable foil configuration had distinct advantages in extreme conditions.

### Rudder damage

On the third day Jérémie Beyou onboard Charal returned to the start to repair a damaged rudder due to a collision with a floating object, he started again 9 days 2 h 50 min after the initial fleet start. Pip Hare on Medallia discovered cracks to her rudder stock and replaced the rudder with a spare near Cape Horn. Alex Thomson on Hugo Boss 7 retired with steering issues.

### Collisions

Boris Herrmann on Sea Explorer – Yacht Club De Monaco was 90 miles from the finish line when he hit a fishing boat causing extensive damage to the boat. Due to the proximity to the finish line he was able to finish the race. Sam Davies retired due to an impact with unidentified floating object.

## Results

Classified results for the 2020–2021 edition :
| Pos. | Sail no. | Boat Name | Year | Skipper | G | Finish time | Elapsed time | Deltas | Delta % | Speed rhum/water | Distance sailed |
| 01 | FRA 17 | Maître Coq IV § | 2015 | Yannick Bestaven (FRA) | M | 2021-01-28 - 04:19:46 | 080d 03h 44m 46s Corrected 080d 13h 59m 46s Elapsed | | 0% | 12.67 / 14.86 | 28583.8 |
| 02 | FRA 79 | Apivia § | 2019 | Charlie Dalin (FRA) | M | 2021-01-27 - 20:35:47 | 080d 06h 15m 47s | 00d 02h 31m 01s | 0.13% | 12.65 / 15.13 | 29135 |
| 03 | FRA 18 | Bureau Vallée 2 § | 2015 | Louis Burton (FRA) | M | 2021-01-28 - 00:45:12 | 080d 10h 25m 12s | 00d 06h 40m 26s | 0.35% | 12.62 / 14.84 | 28650 |
| 04 | FRA 001 | Yes We Cam! | 2007 | Jean Le Cam (FRA) | M | 2021-01-28 - 20:19:55 | 080d 13h 44m 55s Corrected 081d 05h 59m 55s Elapsed | 00d 10h 00m 09s | 0.52% | 12.6 / 14.22 | 27501.5 |
| 05 | MON 10 | Sea Explorer – Yacht Club De Monaco § | 2015 | Boris Herrmann (GER) | M | 2021-01-28 - 11:19:45 | 080d 14h 59m 45s Corrected 080d 20h 59m 45s Elapsed | 00d 11h 14m 59s | 0.58% | 12.59 / 14.7 | 28448.5 |
| 06 | FRA 59 | Linkedout § | 2019 | Thomas Ruyant (FRA) | M | 2021-01-28 - 05:42:01 | 080d 15h 22m 01s | 00d 11h 37m 15s | 0.6% | 12.59 / 15.07 | 29175.5 |
| 07 | FRA 1000 | Groupe Apicil | 2008 | Damien Seguin (FRA) | M | 2021-01-28 - 12:18:20 | 080d 21h 58m 20s | 00d 18h 13m 34s | 0.95% | 12.55 / 14.17 | 27512.3 |
| 08 | ITA 34 | Prysmian Group § | 2015 | Giancarlo Pedote (ITA) | M | 2021-01-28 - 13:02:20 | 080d 22h 42m 20s | 00d 18h 57m 34s | 0.99% | 12.54 / 14.67 | 28489.9 |
| 09 | FRA 09 | Omia – Water Family | 2007 | Benjamin Dutreux (FRA) | M | 2021-01-29 - 10:05:20 | 081d 19h 45m 20s | 01d 16h 45m 34s | 2.08% | 12.41 / 14.17 | 27832.5 |
| 10 | FRA 53 | V and B – Mayenne | 2007 | Maxime Sorel (FRA) | M | 2021-01-30 - 04:50:15 | 082d 14h 30m 15s | 02d 10h 45m 29s | 3.05% | 12.29 / 13.79 | 27346.9 |
| 11 | FRA 2 | L’Occitane En Provence § | 2020 | Armel Tripon (FRA) | M | 2021-02-01 - 07:27:50 | 084d 17h 07m 50s | 04d 13h 23m 04s | 5.69% | 11.98 / 13.93 | 28315.2 |
| 12 | FRA 30 | Banque Populaire X | 2011 | Clarisse Crémer (FRA) | F | 2021-02-03 - 16:44:25 | 087d 02h 24m 25s | 06d 22h 39m 39s | 8.66% | 11.66 / 13.25 | 27697.1 |
| 13 | FRA 8 | Charal § | 2018 | Jérémie Beyou (FRA) | M | 2021-02-06 - 09:15:58 | 089d 18h 55m 58s | 09d 15h 11m 12s | 12.02% | 11.31 / 13.8 | 29728.5 |
| 14 | FRA 49 | Pure – Best Western | 2007 | Romain Attanasio (FRA) | M | 2021-02-06 - 17:06:02 | 090d 02h 46m 02s | 09d 23h 01m 16s | 12.42% | 11.27 / 12.76 | 27597 |
| 15 | FRA 14 | La Mie Câline – Artisans Artipôle § | 2007 | Arnaud Boissières (FRA) | M | 2021-02-11 - 08:56:06 | 094d 18h 36m 06s | 014d 14h 51m 20s | 18.24% | 10.71 / 12.51 | 28456.7 |
| 16 | JPN 11 | DMG Mori § | 2019 | Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) | M | 2021-02-11 - 11:52:56 | 094d 21h 32m 56s | 014d 17h 48m 10s | 18.39% | 10.7 / 12.76 | 29067.7 |
| 17 | SUI 07 | La Fabrique § | 2007 | Alan Roura (SUI) | M | 2021-02-11 - 20:29:56 | 095d 06h 09m 56s | 015d 02h 25m 10s | 18.84% | 10.66 / 12.51 | 28603.3 |
| 18 | FRA 92 | Time for Oceans § | 2007 | Stéphane Le Diraison (FRA) | M | 2021-02-11 - 22:36:00 | 095d 08h 16m 00s | 015d 04h 31m 14s | 18.95% | 10.65 / 12.53 | 28663.5 |
| 19 | GBR 77 | Medallia | 2000 | Pip Hare (GBR) | F | 2021-02-12 - 01:57:30 | 095d 11h 37m 30s | 015d 07h 52m 44s | 19.12% | 10.63 / 12.21 | 27976.9 |
| 20 | ESP 33 | One Planet One Ocean | 2000 | Didac Costa (ESP) | M | 2021-02-13 - 20:47:03 | 097d 06h 27m 03s | 017d 02h 42m 17s | 21.35% | 10.44 / 12.07 | 28172.7 |
| 21 | FRA | Compagnie Du Lit / Jiliti | 2006 | Clément Giraud (FRA) | M | 2021-02-16 - 10:28:31 | 099d 20h 08m 31s | 019d 16h 23m 45s | 24.56% | 10.17 / 11.74 | 28137.8 |
| 22 | FRA 50 | Campagne De France | 2006 | Miranda Merron (GBR) | F | 2021-02-17 - 23:16:51 | 101d 08h 56m 51s | 021d 05h 12m 05s | 26.47% | 10.01 / 11.37 | 27656.2 |
| 23 | FRA 71 | Groupe Sétin | 2007 | Manuel Cousin (FRA) | M | 2021-02-20 - 08:35:40 | 103d 18h 15m 40s | 023d 14h 30m 54s | 29.45% | 9.78 / 11.69 | 29115.7 |
| 24 | FRA 06 | TSE – 4myplanet | 1998 | Alexia Barrier (FRA) | F | 2021-02-28 - 07:23:44 | 111d 17h 03m 00s | 031d 13h 18m 14s | 39.37% | 9.09 / 10.51 | 28170.7 |
| 25 | FIN 222 | Stark | 2007 | Ari Huusela (FIN) | M | 2021-03-05 - 08:35:46 | 116d 18h 15m 46s | 036d 14h 31m 00s | 45.67% | 8.7 / 10.39 | 29122 |
| DNF | FRA 69 | Merci | 2005 | / Sébastien Destremau | M | 2021-01-16 12:00:00 | Steering + other issues 60 nm south of New Zealand, retired unaided to Christchurch | Steering + other issues 60 nm south of New Zealand, retired unaided to Christchurch | Steering + other issues 60 nm south of New Zealand, retired unaided to Christchurch | Steering + other issues 60 nm south of New Zealand, retired unaided to Christchurch | Steering + other issues 60 nm south of New Zealand, retired unaided to Christchurch |
| DNF | | MACSF § | 2007 | / Isabelle Joschke | F | 2021-01-09 21:23:00 | Day 62 Canting Keel Mechanism Failure retired unaided Salvador, Bahia. She completed the race unofficial in a time of 107d 20h 54m. | Day 62 Canting Keel Mechanism Failure retired unaided Salvador, Bahia. She completed the race unofficial in a time of 107d 20h 54m. | Day 62 Canting Keel Mechanism Failure retired unaided Salvador, Bahia. She completed the race unofficial in a time of 107d 20h 54m. | Day 62 Canting Keel Mechanism Failure retired unaided Salvador, Bahia. She completed the race unofficial in a time of 107d 20h 54m. | Day 62 Canting Keel Mechanism Failure retired unaided Salvador, Bahia. She completed the race unofficial in a time of 107d 20h 54m. |
| DNF | | Newrest – Art & Fenêtres § | 2015 | Fabrice Amedeo (FRA) | M | 2020-12-11 14:42:00 | General computer failure, diverted to and retired unaided to Cape Town | General computer failure, diverted to and retired unaided to Cape Town | General computer failure, diverted to and retired unaided to Cape Town | General computer failure, diverted to and retired unaided to Cape Town | General computer failure, diverted to and retired unaided to Cape Town |
| DNF | | Initiatives-cœur (3) § | 2010 | Samantha Davies (GBR) | F | 2020-12-05 13:00:00 | Day 26: keel damage following collision with unidentified floating object; retired unaided in Cape Town. She continued outside the race unofficially in a time of 109d 23h 40m. | Day 26: keel damage following collision with unidentified floating object; retired unaided in Cape Town. She continued outside the race unofficially in a time of 109d 23h 40m. | Day 26: keel damage following collision with unidentified floating object; retired unaided in Cape Town. She continued outside the race unofficially in a time of 109d 23h 40m. | Day 26: keel damage following collision with unidentified floating object; retired unaided in Cape Town. She continued outside the race unofficially in a time of 109d 23h 40m. | Day 26: keel damage following collision with unidentified floating object; retired unaided in Cape Town. She continued outside the race unofficially in a time of 109d 23h 40m. |
| DNF | | Arkea – Paprec § | 2019 | Sébastien Simon (FRA) | M | 2020-12-04 14:00:00 | Day 25: damaged starboard foil following collision with floating object; retired unaided to Cape Town | Day 25: damaged starboard foil following collision with floating object; retired unaided to Cape Town | Day 25: damaged starboard foil following collision with floating object; retired unaided to Cape Town | Day 25: damaged starboard foil following collision with floating object; retired unaided to Cape Town | Day 25: damaged starboard foil following collision with floating object; retired unaided to Cape Town |
| DNF | | Hugo Boss 7 § | 2019 | Alex Thomson (GBR) | M | 2020-12-04 08:30:00 | Day 21: rudder damage, diverted to and retired unaided to Cape Town | Day 21: rudder damage, diverted to and retired unaided to Cape Town | Day 21: rudder damage, diverted to and retired unaided to Cape Town | Day 21: rudder damage, diverted to and retired unaided to Cape Town | Day 21: rudder damage, diverted to and retired unaided to Cape Town |
| DNF | | PRB 4 § | 2010 | Kevin Escoffier (FRA) | M | 2020-12-01 08:00:00 | Structural hull failure, abandoned to liferaft; boat lost | Structural hull failure, abandoned to liferaft; boat lost | Structural hull failure, abandoned to liferaft; boat lost | Structural hull failure, abandoned to liferaft; boat lost | Structural hull failure, abandoned to liferaft; boat lost |
| DNF | | Corum L’Épargne § | 2020 | Nicolas Troussel (FRA) | M | 2020-11-16 15:00:00 | Day 8: Dismasted, diverted unaided to Cape Verde Islands | Day 8: Dismasted, diverted unaided to Cape Verde Islands | Day 8: Dismasted, diverted unaided to Cape Verde Islands | Day 8: Dismasted, diverted unaided to Cape Verde Islands | Day 8: Dismasted, diverted unaided to Cape Verde Islands |
    § – boat equipped with hydrofoils

## Competitors

General classification :
| Skipper | Previous Start / Finish | Name of boat | Sail no. | Hydrofoils | Designer | Ref. | Year launched | Notes |
| Alan Roura (SUI) | 1 / 1 (12th) | La Fabrique | SUI 07 | Yes | Finot – Conq | Multiplast (FRA) | 2007-07-17 | 2019 Foils retrofitted |
| Alex Thomson (GBR) | 4 / 2 (2nd) | Hugo Boss 7 | GBR 99 | Yes | VPLP – Pete Hobson | Carrington Boats (GBR) | 2019-04-08 | |
| Alexia Barrier (FRA) | 0 | TSE – 4myplanet | FRA 72 | No | Marc Lombart | MAG (FRA) | 1998-01-31 | |
| Ari Huusela (FIN) | 0 | Stark | FIN 222 | No | Owen-Clarke | Hakes Marine (NZL) | 2007-12-17 | |
| Armel Tripon (FRA) | 0 | L’Occitane En Provence | FRA 02 | Yes | Sam Manuard | Black Pepper Yachts | 2020-01-31 | First SCOW Design |
| Arnaud Boissières (FRA) | 3 / 3 (8th) | La Mie Câline – Artisans Artipôle | FRA 14 | Yes | Owen-Clarke | Hakes Marine (NZL) | 2007 | |
| Benjamin Dutreux (FRA) | 0 | Omia – Water Family | FRA 09 | No | Farr Yacht Design | Offshore Challenges, Cowes (GBR) | 2007-06-25 | |
| Boris Herrmann (GER) | 0 | Sea Explorer – Yacht Club De Monaco | MON 10 | Yes | VPLP – Verdier | Multiplast (FRA) | 2015-08-06 | |
| Charlie Dalin (FRA) | 0 | Apivia | FRA 79 | Yes | Guillaume Verdier | CDK Technologies (FRA) | 2019-05-08 | |
| Clarisse Crémer (FRA) | 0 | Banque Populaire X | FRA 30 | No | VPLP – Verdier | CDK Technologies (FRA) | 2011-08-16 | |
| Clément Giraud (FRA) | 0 | Compagnie Du Lit / Jiliti | FRA 83 | No | Farr Yacht Design | JMV Industries (FRA) | 2006-07-26 | |
| Damien Seguin (FRA) | 0 | Groupe Apicil | FRA 1000 | No | Finot – Conq | Multiplast (FRA) | 2008-05-29 | |
| Didac Costa (ESP) | 1 / 1 (14th) | One Planet One Ocean | ESP 33 | No | Rob Humphreys / Owen-Clarke | Marten Marine (NZL) | 1999 | |
| Fabrice Amedeo (FRA) | 1 / 1 (11th) | Newrest – Art & Fenêtres | FRA 56 | Yes | VPLP – Verdier | Persico (ITA) | 2015-08-18 | |
| Giancarlo Pedote (ITA) | 0 | Prysmian Group | ITA 34 | Yes | VPLP – Verdier | Vannes (FRA) | 2015-09-11 | |
| / Isabelle Joschke | 0 | MACSF | FRA 27 | Yes | VPLP – Verdier | Chantier Naval de Larros | 2007-08-06 | Foils retrofitted |
| Jean Le Cam (FRA) | 4 / 3 (2nd) | Yes We Cam! | FRA 01 | No | Farr Yacht Design | Port La Forêt | 2007-05-29 | |
| Jérémie Beyou (FRA) | 3 / 1 (3rd) | Charal | FRA 08 | Yes | VPLP | CDK Technologies (FRA) | 2018-08-20 | |
| Kevin Escoffier (FRA) | 0 | PRB 4 | FRA 85 | Yes | VPLP – Verdier | CDK Technologies (FRA) | 2009-11-30 | Foils retrofitted |
| Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) | 1 / 0 | DMG Mori Global One | JPN 11 | Yes | VPLP | Multiplast (FRA) | 2019-09-02 | |
| Louis Burton (FRA) | 2 / 1 (7th) | Bureau Vallée 2 | FRA 18 | Yes | VPLP – Verdier | CDK Technologies (FRA) | 2015-06-09 | |
| Manuel Cousin (FRA) | 0 | Groupe Sétin | FRA 71 | No | Farr Yacht Design | Southern Ocean Marine (NZL) | 2007-02-03 | |
| Maxime Sorel (FRA) | 0 | V and B – Mayenne | FRA 53 | No | VPLP – Verdier | Indiana Yachting (ITA) | 2007-09-05 | |
| Miranda Merron (GBR) | 0 | Campagne De France | FRA 50 | No | Owen-Clarke | (NZL) | 2006-01-05 | |
| Nicolas Troussel (FRA) | 0 | Corum L’Épargne | FRA 6 | Yes | Juan Kouyoumdjian Design | Mer Agitée & CDK Technologies (FRA) | 2020 | |
| Pip Hare (GBR) | 0 | Medallia | GBR 66 | No | Pierre Roland | Bernard Stamm, Lesconil | 2000-01-07 | |
| Romain Attanasio (FRA) | 1 / 1 (15th) | Pure – Best Western | FRA 49 | No | Farr Yacht Design | NZL | 2008-08-19 | |
| Samantha Davies (GBR) | 2 / 1 (5th) | Initiatives-cœur (3) | FRA 109 | Yes | VPLP – Verdier | CDK Technologies (FRA) | 2010-09-18 | Foils retrofitted |
| Sébastien Simon (FRA) | 0 | Arkea – Paprec | FRA 4 | Yes | Juan Kouyoumdjian | CDK Technologies (FRA) | 2019-07-19 | |
| / Sébastien Destremau | 1 / 1 (18th) | Merci | FRA 69 | No | Lavanos | Artech do Brasil | 2005-01-15 | |
| Stéphane Le Diraison (FRA) | 1 / 0 | Time for Oceans | FRA 92 | Yes | Finot – Conq | Neville HUTTON (GBR) | 2007-06-19 | Foils retrofitted |
| Thomas Ruyant (FRA) | 1 / 0 | Linkedout | FRA 59 | Yes | Guillaume Verdier | Persico Marine (ITA) | 2019-09-07 | |
| Yannick Bestaven (FRA) | 1 / 0 | Maître Coq IV | FRA 17 | Yes | VPLP – Verdier | CDK Technologies (FRA) | 2015-03-02 | |