SLAM Vendée Globe Sailors

For Louis Duc, there are no problems, only solutions, such as the one he implemented during a leg of the Mini Transat, when he dismasted but managed to put the mast back in place in the middle of the Atlantic, all by himself on a small 6.50 metre hull! And he is as daring at sea as he is ashore when it comes to ideas, so much so that he was the first to build a Class 40 with a "scow" bow, i.e. with rounded front volumes and a mast with a single spreader. He loves a challenge, which is why he did not shy away from buying and rebuilding the old, burnt-out "PRB 3" from 2007, taking his place on the starting line at this, his first Vendée.

Louis will be participating in the UNESCO project with the following oceanographic equipment on board: 

• Surface buoy > watch the video on board !

Interview by the Vendée Globe organisation

Arnaud Boissières is a sailor who embodies perseverance and a pure passion for the sea. Known among friends and fans as "Cali," Boissières is not only a sailor with years of experience, but a person who exudes great humility and a strong joie de vivre, qualities that make him a unique and beloved figure throughout the world of ocean sailing. He is the only skipper to have completed four consecutive Vendée Globes, each of which he has always tackled with a balance of tenacity and serenity, demonstrating a great respect for the sea and for the extreme challenge that this adventure provides. He is a French sailing legend and is ready to complete his fifth consecutive round-the-world race!

Arnaud will be participating in the UNESCO project with the following oceanographic equipment on board: 

• a surface buoy and

• a Calitoo photometer, an instrument used to measure the amount of light emitted or transmitted by a source, which is essential for carrying out leakage tests on HEPA filters, which in turn are tasked with blocking polluting particles in the area under treatment.

> watch the video on board!

• Interview by the Vendée Globe organisation

During the 2020 Vendée Globe, his second edition, Manuel crossed the line in 103 days with a broken keel ram! After he had spent the first half of his life as an entrepreneur, he decided to make his dream come true and devote himself to ocean sailing, leaving his home in Normandy and settling in Les Sables-d'Olonne. In 2013, he joined the Class40 circuit and for four seasons he sailed his way between Transat Jacques Vabre and Québec/Saint-Malo, before joining the IMOCA class in 2017. To prepare for his second Vendée Globe, he took part in all the major regattas on the circuit - Transat Jacques Vabre, Route du Rhum, Retour à la Base, New York-Vendée - accumulating enough miles (19,825) to reach the top of the qualifications for non-new boats and validate his participation in the 2024 edition.

Manuel will be participating in the UNESCO project with the following oceanographic equipment on board: 

• Surface buoy > watch the video onboard! >

• Interview by the Vendée Globe organisation

A former judo champion and pub owner, Antoine had already been answered the unwavering call to the ocean, having taken part in the Minitransat of 2001. Following a long break in which he devoted himself to his family, he started sailing again in 2017; three years ago he bought one of the oldest Imoca still on the water, an Owen Clarke design from 2005. A challenge within a challenge!

Antoine will be participating in the UNESCO project with the following oceanographic equipment on board: 

• Surface buoy

• Weather station

• TSG Gaillard

Watch the video onboard >>

• Interview by the Vendée Globe organisation

33-year-old skipper Sébastien Simon, one of the emerging names in French ocean sailing, is preparing his return to the Vendée Globe with resilience and determination. After being forced to retire off the coast of South Africa back in 2020 while in fourth place, due to boat damage, Simon has transformed this setback into a lesson in perseverance. At the last Transat he suffered a concussion and a fractured neck, leading him to also completely rethink the concept of safety on board. 

"After the accident, I spent three months unable to move and another month in rehabilitation. We then modified the boat to avoid new risks: the seat was custom-made, with seat belts and shock absorbers. The berth was also improved with foot stoppers and nets created by local fishermen to prevent it from being thrown forward in the event of an impact. I now always wear a helmet above 20 knots".

LIVE from the Ocean - 28 November, the day after the daily record
A solo record and a new stage on the horizon! The current situation: Tomorrow, we head towards the Indian Ocean, a moment I am looking forward to. Leaving the Atlantic will be a symbolic and exciting stage of this incredible adventure.
Weather conditions
The depression that pushed us all the way from Rio is still with us. We are sailing in intense conditions, with a constant noise of around 80-90 decibels, which I try to decrease by wearing headphones. It's not easy to keep up this pace, but the boat is holding up well, and the progress is extraordinary.
A historic feat
Yesterday was a memorable day! With our IMOCA, solo, we sailed 615 miles in 24 hours, breaking an all-time monohull record. Comanche, with its 100-footer and full crew, also achieved ‘only’ just over 600 miles. This record is a source of great pride, and I am happy to have pushed the limits in these conditions.
Second place
Last night brought more wonderful news: we are now in second place! A real boost of energy after days of hard work.
Next steps
In about 9 days and 15 hours, we should reach the west coast of Australia by crossing the Indian Ocean quickly and intensively. A strong depression awaits us, but we are preparing for this challenge.
A unique moment
For now, everything is going well on board. The boat is performing well, which is reassuring for the future. I look forward to continuing to sail in these isolated and fascinating latitudes, far away from everything. Thank you for your support, we are going forward with determination. See you soon with new updates!"

• Interview by the Vendée Globe organisation