Of the 40 boats that set off for the 2024-25 Vendée Globe on November 10, the question is still how many will return for the finish in Les Sables d’Olonne, France. The 24,300-mile journey around the world is not easy, with difficult starts for these solo sailors:

• Clarisse Crémer (L’OCCITANE en Provence): While he got off to a good start in the race, he lost his biggest sail off the coast of Portugal. His large MHO gennaker deployed unexpectedly, depriving him of this precious headsail. – Full report

• Maxime Sorel (V and B – Monbana-Mayenne): It started with a gennaker problem which was quickly resolved with a patch, then the mainsail hook. It is now stuck and while trying to repair it, Maxime injured his ankle. Since then, Sorel has struggled to find a solution and has chosen to take refuge in Madeira to climb the mast and try to carry out repairs. – Full report

• Szabolcs Weöres (NEW EUROPE): In 30-40 knot winds and rough seas about 200 miles off Porto, his boat was overturned, resulting in significant damage to the mainsail and his small A7 headsail. The A7 stays tightly wrapped around the forestay and sails towards an area of ​​lighter wind to untangle it. As for mainsail repairs, he plans to head to Madeira to use the island as a windbreak. – Full report

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The Vendée Globe, run in a 60-foot IMOCA, is the elite race around the world, solo, non-stop and without assistance. On November 10, 40 skippers took the start of the 2024-25 edition which begins and ends in Les Sables d’Olonne, in France.

Armel Le Cléac’h, winner in 2017, holds the course record of 24,300 nautical miles in 74 days 03 hours 35 minutes 46 seconds. Only one sailor has won it twice: Michel Desjoyeaux in 2001 and 2009. This is the tenth edition of the race.