Europe 1 with AFP 23:36 p.m., March 20, 2023

The 2024-2025 edition of the Vendée Globe is taking shape. New logo, new race director, the organizers have unveiled the new specificities of the race in which 28 candidates are currently certain to participate. Among them, Yannick Bestaven, winner of the last edition.

A year and a half before the start, 28 sailors have finalised their application for the 2024/2025 edition of the Vendée Globe, the organisers announced on Monday at a press conference in La-Roche-Sur-Yon (Vendée). Among the contenders for the start of the famous solo round the world trip, the last winner Yannick Bestaven, the "king" Jean Le Cam, but also Thomas Ruyant and Charlie Dalin, respectively 1st and 2nd of the last Route du Rhum in Imoca.

Candidates have until October 2, 2023 to officially declare. If the number of applications submitted is more than 40, the sailors who have accumulated the most nautical miles on the qualifying races will win their sesame. "I really hope that we can respect this classification," explained Monday the president of the Vendée Globe Alain Leboeuf. The only exception to this rule is that the first 13 new boats registered are guaranteed to be on the line, as well as an invitation issued by the organization.

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Clarisse Crémer absent

The sailor Clarisse Crémer, landed in February by Banque Populaire because, according to her, of her maternity, is absent from the list of potential future departures. "If, however, there was indeed someone to be drafted for reasons that are sufficient, I say to Clarisse, motherhood can indeed be a reason that would recognize that there were a few miles that could not be traveled during the pregnancy phase," said Mr. Leboeuf.

The fastest woman in the history of the Vendée Globe (87 days 2 hours 24 minutes and 25 seconds in 2020/2021) has not spoken since the announcement of the end of her partnership with Banque Populaire, but "she has not drawn a definitive line on her project to be at the start" of the next edition, according to a source close to the file. The tenth Vendée Globe will start from Les Sables d'Olonne on 10 November 2024. At this stage, three of the 28 declared candidates are women.