The 10th edition of the Vendée Globe, the solo, non-stop world tour, is launched. After a windless start, the fleet found more favorable weather conditions when passing Cape Finisterre where the wind blew at an average of 30 knots with peaks of 45 knots. Yoann Richomme, the skipper of the Imoca Paprec Arkéa, is in the leading pack this morning, November 12.

More than twenty-four hours after setting off around the world, Yoann Richomme, the skipper of the Imoca Paprec Arkéa, says he "still has a lump in his throat" when he talks about the emotions of the start. “It was a beautiful moment,” he said with serenity. “The Vendée Globe is a long personal investment. You think about your family, you realize that you are gone for around 80 days.” Yoann Richomme approached this meeting rested and enthusiastic. He could not resist the wave of emotions, the smiles and the encouragement of his entire team and representatives of his partners, Crédit Mutuel Arkéa and Paprec.

Yoann Richomme: "Seeing all these people, the platforms filled, this mass of people, it was very impressive. All sports combined, it is very rare to see such a dense audience. That's when you realize the character exceptional for what we are currently achieving."

The Battle of the Atlantic Begins

Now it's time to race. Yoann Richomme did not spare himself. He had to cross a long windless zone then turn around because of a bunch of algae stuck in his keel. Once the problem was resolved, he was able to step on the accelerator, cross Cape Finisterre and regain his place in the leading pack. The skipper chose to pass close to land, to take advantage of the acceleration of the wind along the coast, while others chose the open sea to avoid maritime traffic. This Tuesday, November 12, at 7 a.m., he was in 3rd place, 18 miles from the race leader. 

It’s already time to plan for the future. "The game in the Atlantic looks a little more open. We will have to work with the wind until Madeira but after that the situation seems a little more uncertain. It's all a matter of placement and study of the weather" .

A look back at the start of the Vendée Globe 2024, Sunday November 10 in Les Sables-d'Olonne (photos @ PolaRyse)