Vendee Arctique: Breaking point – and beyond
When teams set out on a solo race to the Arctic Circle and back all of them knew that they would be venturing into new territory. No one had ever taken an IMOCA this far north, alone.
Italian Ambrogio Beccaria claims an unexpected victory after a thrilling conclusion to the Vendée Arctique
The Vendée Arctique race came to a thrilling conclusion last night as Ambrogio Beccaria (ITA) on Allagrande Mapei snatched victory from the clutches of the longtime leader Sam Goodchild (GBR) on MACIF Santé Prévoyance in the very final stages of the race from France to the Arctic Circle and back.
Reigning Vendée Globe champion Charlie Dalin dies aged 42
Terribly sad news from France today of the death at the age of 42 of solo sailing legend Charlie Dalin, who won the Vendée Globe 2024-25, despite battling gastrointestinal cancer throughout the gruelling singlehanded around-the-world race.
Thumping north alone...
The start of the Vendée Arctique may have been a quiet affair when the fleet set off from les Sables d'Olonne on Sunday 7 June, but it didn't take long for the pain, stress, sea sickness and breakdowns to start.
Expert commentary from Yoann Richomme on the Vendée Arctique
Among those following the third edition of the Vendée Arctique – with the leading boats now well on their way to the turning point at the Arctic Circle – is the Paprec skipper Yoann Richomme. Ed Gorman finds out more.
Podcast: Alan Roberts' quest for a Vendée Globe backer
British sailor Alan Roberts has been based in France now for several years as part of his quest to find a financial backer to help him make his dream of participating in the Vendée Globe solo around-the-world race.
Switzerland's Oliver Heer announces entry for The Ocean Race 2027
Swiss offshore sailor Oliver Heer has announced that his team 'Embrace The Challenge' will compete in The Ocean Race 2027.
The Arctic Circle and back
PlanetSail’s Matt Sheahan heads to the start of the Vendée Arctique in the infamous town of les Sables d'Olonne on the west coast of France to talk to skippers and find out how and why they are setting up for the big race to the north.
Sam Goodchild: the Vendée Arctique is not a race to be taken lightly
With four wins in the last five races, just about everything Sam Goodchild touches right now turns to gold. But as the IMOCA Globe Series champion prepares for the third Vendée Arctique-Les Sables D’Olonne, his focus is firmly on continuing to improve his game and maintain his level of performance.
For some IMOCA skippers, the appeal of the Solitaire du Figaro never dies
It’s not unprecedented for top sailors in IMOCA to return to the Figaro class, but it’s quite unusual and this season several of IMOCA’s established skippers have been doing just that.