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When taking on the Vendée Globe, each and every skipper sets sail with a clear objective in mind: to cross the finish line. And yet, for many, this all-encompassing experience can become a real addiction, an irresistible lure that drives them to return edition after edition for the chance to push their limits.
Sébastien Simon - © Vincent Curutchet / Alea
Just imagine, for a moment, living for more than two months on a boat hurtling along at incredible speeds, crashing through mountainous waves and violent winds. Life on board becomes nothing but a daily struggle: every moment is punctuated by the deafening roar of the sea, the incessant pounding of the waves and the fact that you are forced to solve every problem on your own. This is what it means to take up the Vendée Globe challenge, a competition that puts not just the boats’ tech to the test, but the tenacity of the skippers as well.
Antoine Cornic
For all participants involved, the primary goal is not so much winning as it is crossing the finish line. To complete the Vendée Globe is already an extraordinary feat in itself, a personal triumph that requires dedication, preparation and extraordinary fortitude. However, for many, the experience becomes an irresistible struggle: those who have lived through it can become incapable of living without it.
Sébastien Simon is a perfect example. Simon achieved an incredible feat this year, claiming third place overall. Before setting sail, he had declared his goal to be simply to finish the race after his accident in the last edition. But once he crossed the finish line, that dream swiftly changed: now, he aims to win the next edition. This is a common sentiment among skippers: the Vendée Globe is so much more than just a race, it is a mission that leaves an indelible mark.
The star of this edition is without doubt Sébastien Simon, the first skipper from Les Sables d'Olonne - the race’s starting and finishing port - to claim a place on the podium in the history of the Vendée Globe.
“I am incredibly proud to be the first skipper from Les Sables d'Olonne to stand on the podium. It is such an incredible honour. This town lives and breathes the Vendée Globe, and to be part of its history is a truly unique sensation,” commented Simon.
Throughout the race, his performance shone with highly competitive moments in which he kept up with the likes of Charlie Dalin and Yoann Richomme.
“The pace was hellish until the foil broke. I would have liked to have maintained that speed right up until the end, but circumstances had decided otherwise. Nevertheless, I kept on fighting and managed to get a spot on the podium,” recalled Simon.
For Simon, the podium is only a new beginning.
“My ultimate dream is to win this race. This podium finish is just one more step towards that goal. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I am determined to improve and come back stronger than before.”
His ambition and determination are already driving thoughts about the next edition:
“I want to come back in four years’ time to experience these same magical moments again. This third place belongs to the whole team, my partners and those who supported me throughout. I am incredibly proud of this journey.”
With his extraordinary performance, Simon has proved that records are made to be broken and that the Vendée Globe is in a constant state of evolution. The boats get faster and faster, but the race remains just as demanding, both mentally and physically:
“At 30 knots, the boat hits hard and you have to stay focused. That kind of speed makes the race even more difficult, but it is also what makes it unlike any other.”
While Sébastien Simon celebrates his extraordinary achievement, our other SLAM ambassadors are still at sea, demonstrating incredible determination. They all share a single goal: to complete this epic challenge around the globe, one of the toughest feats in the world, and make their dream come true.
Every mile travelled represents a victory against the sea and against oneself. For them, the Vendée Globe is not just a race, but a transformative experience, an achievement that will forever be etched in their lives.
If you too want to immerse yourself in the world of sailing and experience the thrill of the sea, check out our collection, designed for those who, like the skippers taking on the Vendée Globe, never stop dreaming and pushing their limits.
Author: ELENA GIOLAI/SLAM
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