At age 58, it’s a win for Bostonian Rich Wilson just to complete this race they call the “Everest of Sailing” – even though the first-place finisher, the Frenchman Michel Desjoyeaux, already crossed the line on February 1. Of the 29 boats that started last November, 18 have already retired due to boat or human problems. Rich is a Harvard graduate and a former math teacher. He already holds multiple sailing world records, including being the youngest winner of the famous Newport-Bermuda Race almost 30 years ago.
The 25,000-mile Vendée Globe race is in its sixth running in 2008/09, having begun in 1989 and now taking place every four years. Although a French-sponsored race, it is considered one of the pinnacles of international sailing, with seven nationalities entering this year. In 1989 one sailor took 163 days to finish, although with faster boats and improved equipment, the race has sped up and Desjoyeaux finished in just 84 days. Currently in ninth place, Wilson still is more than 1000 miles ahead of the two boats behind him, and upon finishing will also have beaten the 18 forced to drop out. The two women in the race, Samantha Davies and Dee Caffari, both British and both much younger, are well ahead of Wilson.
The World’s Toughest Solo Race
Being alone on a 60-foot and managing everything from huge sails to delicate electronics demands stamina, skill, and great self-confidence. These sailors average only 5 hours of sleep a day, and that usually in fits and starts, and they seldom get to relax. The race is so grueling and the strains so big on the equipment and people that in some years fewer than 40% finish. The record speed attained to date is 439 miles in 24 hours, but for shorter bursts these boats reach well over 20 knots. With big winds and waves things start breaking at that speed.
This has been a bad year for disasters in the race, although with contemporary safety equipment and satellite communications, there has been no loss of life. Two boats have been dismasted, and a third badly capsized—all sailors rescued. Others have had keel or rudder damage, such as Jean-Pierre Dick’s twice hitting unidentified objects, probably ice in the Southern Ocean, that broke both of his rudders. Yann Elies was smashed across the deck when struck by a wave and broke his femur.
Present Status of the 2008/09 Racers
- Michel Desjoyeaux (France) – Foncia – 1st place finisher
- Armel Le Cléac´h (France) – Brit Air – 2nd place finisher
- Samantha Davies (United Kingdom) – Roxy – approaching finish
- Marc Guillemont (France) – Safran – 306 to go
- Brian Thompson (United Kingdom) – Pindar – 385 to go
- Dee Caffari (United Kingdom) – Aviva – 484 to go
- Arnaud Boissières (France) – Akena Vérandas – 1641 to go
- Steve White (United Kingdom) – Toe in the Water – 2224 to go
- Rich Wilson (United States) – Great American III – 3810 to go
- Raphaël Dinelli (France) – Fondation Océan Vital – 4879 to go
- Norbert Sedlacek (Austria) – Nauticsport-Kapsch – 5313 to go
Watch Videos, Listen to Interviews, Read Skipper Logs
The Vendée Globe website is posting a wealth of material for those interested in following the race closely or exploring its highlights so far. In addition to profiles of the racers and their boats, the Media section includes daily photos and videos shot by the skippers themselves and transmitted by satellite connection to the race organizers. Video “Daily Reports” summarize the status of the fleet every day with a montage of footage from the individual boats. This is a great way for armchair sailors to feel the thrills and competition while getting to know the racers.
It’s too early to predict when Rich Wilson and the others will finish, and celebrations are still being planned for Wilson’s return to America. Watch his website for more information as he approaches the line. He deserves a hero’s welcome home simply for persevering through this most difficult of all sail races, in which finishing is, in essence, winning.
Tom Lochhaas - Tom Lochhaas’ great passion is sailing. He’s owned several sailboats and currently cruises with his family from Nova Scotia to ...
