The Vendée Globe, the world’s toughest solo, non-stop sailing race, is nearing its dramatic conclusion, but for the remaining competitors, the North Atlantic is proving to be as unforgiving as the Southern Ocean. Battling fatigue, equipment failures, and brutal weather, these sailors are determined to cross the finish line at Les Sables d’Olonne—despite the mounting odds.
A hard-earned victory
British skipper Sam Goodchild has been the embodiment of resilience. After his mainsail split in two days ago, Goodchild worked tirelessly to piece it back together amidst rough seas. By the morning, he had managed to hoist a portion of the repaired sail.
“Isn’t that beautiful. It feels so good. I am going to get to Les Sables d’Olonne,” Goodchild exclaimed, his face smeared with Sikaflex glue. By afternoon, VULNERABLE was back in motion, clocking speeds of up to 16 knots, surpassing his closest rival, Justine Mettraux, by 15 miles.
Unpredictable conditions and slipping ETAs
Weather in the North Atlantic has been far from cooperative. An anticyclonic ridge near Cape Finisterre has caused light winds, while two successive low-pressure systems loom ahead, forcing competitors to slow their pace.
Clarisse Crémer, skipper of L’Occitane en Provence, expressed the mental strain these unpredictable conditions impose:
“These last few days of racing are far from being easy. It is better to avoid thinking too much about the number of bumps left, otherwise, you will be disappointed. This uncertainty is mentally torturous, but we accept it—it is the rule of the game.”
For many skippers, the finish line feels both tantalisingly close and frustratingly out of reach. The current ETA for leaders like Jérémie Beyou on Charal has slipped repeatedly, with his arrival now expected late Thursday night, over a week after the race leader finished.
Racing against the storm
The already challenging race is compounded by an incoming storm that threatens to bar safe entry into Les Sables d’Olonne. Sam Davies, aboard Initiatives Coeur, faces a narrow time window to cross the finish line ahead of the storm.
“I don’t know how I am going to get into Les Sables d’Olonne, to be honest,” Davies admitted. “I should arrive just ahead of this really big front, but the channel entrance will be too dangerous to get into. I’m watching and hoping the forecast improves to give me a tiny window.”
For Davies and others in the fleet, the alternative—waiting out the storm offshore—presents its own challenges, as additional depressions continue to move south.
The final push
As the race leaders Jérémie Beyou, Paul Meilhat on Biotherm, and Nico Lunven on HOLCIM PRB inch closer to the finish, the fleet is spread thin, with competitors arriving days apart. Justine Mettraux, currently in eighth, is projected to cross the line over the weekend, while others may face delays extending into early next week.
Behind the fleet, skippers like Alan Roura and Benjamin Ferré battle technical issues and extreme fatigue but remain steadfast in their determination to complete the race.
A test of resilience
The Vendée Globe has always been about more than just sailing—it’s a test of endurance, problem-solving, and sheer willpower. With boats and skippers pushed to their limits, this final stretch epitomises the spirit of the race.
The North Atlantic may be the final hurdle, but it’s proving to be as challenging as any obstacle these sailors have faced on their epic journey around the globe.
