The 1989–1990 Vendée Globe Challenge, which later became the first edition of the

Vendée Globe --> The Vendée Globe is a single-handed (solo) non-stop, unassisted round the world yacht race. The race was founded by Philippe Jeantot in 1989, and since 1992 has taken place every four years. It is named after the Département of Vendé ...

, was a non-stop round the world sailing race, sailed west to east. The start was 26 November 1989 from Les Sables-d'Olonne. Thirteen boats started and seven finished due to multiple abandonments, which is common in this "Everest of the Sea" that is the Vendée Globe. It was won by Titouan Lamazou on 15 March 1990 creating the first benchmark of the event, a record that stood until the 1996–1997 edition.

Background

The inaugural Vendée Globe set off from Les Sables d'Olonne on 26 November 1989. Frenchman Titouan Lamazou, sailing ''Ecureuil d'Aquitaine II'', won the race with a time of 109 days. Philippe Jeantot, Vendée Globe founder, had problems with breakdowns, and then unfavorable winds, which held him back from the race lead. Philippe Poupon's

ketch A ketch is a two- masted sailboat whose mainmast is taller than the mizzen mast (or aft-mast), and whose mizzen mast is stepped forward of the rudder post. The mizzen mast stepped forward of the rudder post is what distinguishes the ketch f ...

'' Fleury Michon X'' capsized in the

Southern Ocean The Southern Ocean, also known as the Antarctic Ocean, comprises the southernmost waters of the world ocean, generally taken to be south of 60th parallel south, 60° S latitude and encircling Antarctica. With a size of , it is the seco ...

; and Poupon was rescued by Loïck Peyron, who finally finished second, in what was generally a successful first run of the race. Mike Plant, the lone American in the race, disqualified himself after receiving minor assistance near

Campbell Island, New Zealand Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku is an uninhabited subantarctic island of New Zealand, and the main island of the Campbell Island group. The island lies around south of New Zealand's South Island. It covers of the group's , and is surround ...

after a $5 rigging part on his sloop, ''Duracell'', was damaged in the

Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five Borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean, or, depending on the definition, to Antarctica in the south, and is ...

. Plant was scored Did not finish, but to the admiring French, he emerged a real hero after repairing the rigging and finishing the course as an unofficial competitor in 135 days, a new American single-handed

circumnavigation Circumnavigation is the complete navigation around an entire island, continent, or astronomical object, astronomical body (e.g. a planet or natural satellite, moon). This article focuses on the circumnavigation of Earth. The first circumnaviga ...

record.Excerpt from ''Broken Seas'' by Marlin Bree
Retrieved 8 October 2013 Race Director for the first edition was Denis Horeau, who went on to run further editions of the race.

Competitors

Profile Pictures

File:Vendée Globe 2016 - Alain Gautier.jpg, ''Generali Concorde'', alt=Alain Gautier (FRA) Generali Concorde File:VDH Yann Eliès VG2012.jpg, '' 36.15 MET'' , alt=Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (FRA) 36.15 MET File:Record SNSM 2015 - Loïck Peyron (2).jpg, ''Lada Poch'', alt=Loïck Peyron (FRA) Lada Poch File:Philippe Poupon.jpg, '' Fleury Michon X'' , alt=Philippe Poupon (FRA) Fleury Michon X File:Titouan Lamazou 2013.jpg, ''Écureuil d'Aquitaine II'', alt=Titouan Lamazou (FRA) Écureuil d'Aquitaine II

Entries Information

Results

Incidents

* Philippe Poupon's boat was struck by a wave and ended up lying heeled at 90 degrees. Loïck Peyron, in a remarkable bit of seamanship, took the boat in tow, and after Philippe Poupon detached the mast the boat righted itself. A film of the event can be seen here. * Jean-Yves Terlain dismasted south of

Cape Town Cape Town is the legislature, legislative capital city, capital of South Africa. It is the country's oldest city and the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. Cape Town is the country's List of municipalities in South Africa, second-largest ...

. * Guy Bernardin was forced to retire due to a dental problem and made a stopover in Australia

References and publications

External links

Official Vendée Globe Website

Official Vendée Globe YouTube Channel
{{Vendée Globe 1989 in sailing 1990 in sailing Vendée Globe