The Vendée Globe is a true round-the-world single-handed yacht race without assistance. The race was founded by Philippe Jeantot in 1989, and since 1992 has taken place every four years. This is probably the ultimate in sailing challenges and takes enormous persoanl resources of courage, skill and endurance.

The race starts and finishes in Les Sables-d'Olonne, in the Vendée département of France. Les Sables d’Olonne and the Vendée Conseil Général are official race sponsors.The course is a circumnavigation along the clipper route: from Les Sables d’Olonne, down the Atlantic Ocean to the Cape of Good Hope; then clockwise around Antarctica, keeping Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn to port; then back to Les Sables d’Olonne. The race generally runs from November to February and is timed to place the competitors in the summer in the Southern Ocean for obvious reasons. It is the only single-handed non-stop round-the-world (no stages) race and is the ultimate test of sailing endurance.

The race was founded in 1989 by French yachtsman Philippe Jeantot. Jeantot competed in the BOC Challenge (1982-1983 and 1986-1987), winning both races. These were races in stages (now the VELUX 5 Oceans Race) so he decided to set up a new non-stop race!

The first race took place in 1989-1990, and was won by Titouan Lamazou; Jeantot was placed fourth. The next race was in 1992-1993 and been an event every four years since.

The race is open to monohull yachts (Open 60 class). The Open classes are unrestricted in certain aspects but there are rules such as overall length, draught, stability,safety features etc.

The competitors may anchor but may not come close to quays, harbours or other vessels they may receive no outside help.

Obviously all competitors are required to undergo medical and survival courses. They must also be able to demonstrate prior sailing and racing experience of an international nature, either a single-handed trans-oceanic race, or a completion of the previous Vendée Globe.

There have been many famous sailing legends one of which is Ellen MacArthur who came a close second in 2001/2. Many winners or high finishers come from France or the United Kingdom.