The health crisis that has shaken society for a month is forcing those who are involved in the worlds of sports and business to adapt amidst this period of uncertainty.

The address of the French President on April 13th did however lay the foundations for an exit from this containment and suggests a possible recovery period from the middle of July.

As things stand today this latest information allows the Vendée Globe to remain on course with the objective  remaining to have the start from Les Sables-d'Olonne on November 8.

"The technical and sporting programmes of contenders for the around the world solo race without stopover and without assistance has been disturbed by this unprecedented crisis. We are particularly sensitive to this."  said Yves Auvinet, president of SAEM Vendée. "For several weeks now, SAEM Vendée has been in very regular contact with skippers and all the protagonists of the Vendée Globe, to discuss these issues and propose solutions. Our will is to be able to give the start of this ninth edition on the 8th November in the best possible conditions, while remaining very attentive to developments of the situation."

The two solo Transatlantic races initially planned this Spring for the Globe Series championshop this spring should have allowed some skippers to qualify and others to test their monohull after winter modification work. The IMOCA class and the department of Vendée, a major partner in the race, are working  to finalize the adaptation of the New York - Vendée Les Sables-d'Olonne, a general dress rehearsal before the Vendée Globe and therefore an essential race for the preparation of the skippers. Its format will be revealed soon.

Meanwhile, the Vendée Globe organisers are keeping a close eye on the health crisis linked to Covid-19 and everything that entails.

SAEM Vendée