A Record Breaking Vendée Globe
- Communications
- Mar 27
- 3 min read
The 10th edition of the Vendée Globe was a defining moment for Oliver Heer Ocean Racing, as Ollie became the first German-speaking Swiss sailor to ever complete the world's toughest offshore race.
Whilst this achievement represented a huge milestone for our campaign, the Vendée Globe race itself broke many records in participation, performance and reach and has set a new benchmark in the global appeal of offshore sailing.
Firsts and Major Milestones
⛵️ The largest ever fleet – 40 skippers
For the first time, the race was over-subscribed. Only 40 passionate and determined sailors made it to the start line, having met the strict selection and qualification criteria. Sadly some ambitious skippers didn’t make the final cut.
🌎 The most diverse group of competing skippers
This years’ fleet was the most diverse in the race’s history with
14 international (non-French) competitors representing 11 different nationalities
6 female skippers
2 disabled skippers
This is more than just a milestone for the race, it also demonstrates the unique inclusivity of sailing – where else can a 65-year old man, a 23-year old woman and a Paralympian line up against each other and compete as equals?
🏁 The highest finish rate
Historically, just over half of competitors successfully complete this arduous race – but this edition saw 80% of skippers complete the full circumnavigation. A true testament of resilience of both boats and skippers.
Speed Records and Tight Battles
🔥 The fastest ever race
Charlie Dalin, the race winner, smashed the previous race record by more than 9 days, finishing in just 64 days and 19 hours.
🚀 24-Hour Distance Record broken, repeatedly
The record for the furthest distance covered in 24 hours was broken multiple times during the race. In the end it was Sebastian Simon, who finished 3rd, who set the new benchmark, covering 615 miles in 24 hours, averaging a mind-blowing speed of 25 knots and demonstrating the sheer performance capabilities of these latest design foiling yachts.
🏆 New female race record
Swiss skipper Justine Mettraux smashed the previous female race record by 11 days (set by Clarisse Cremer in 2020) and she was the first international skipper to finish this year, claiming 8th place.
⏳ Races Within Races
After racing a complete lap of the globe, covering almost 28,000 nautical miles, several battles lasted right until the finish line, demonstrating the intensity of racing and determination of the skippers throughout the fleet;
1st and 2nd placed daggerboard boats finished just less than 20 minutes apart
3rd and 4th finished with just 13 minutes between them.
5 skippers finished on the 3rd February and 4 more crossed the line on the 9th
Off- the-water records ALSO smashed
Global interest in the Vendee Globe race is booming – with bigger and increasingly global audiences engaging with the race. As technology enables skippers to tell their story, viewers are gaining an insight into the incredible levels of endurance, perseverance and grit demonstrated by these brave skippers.
📍 The largest attendance in Les Sables d’Olonne
Almost 2.5 Million visitors attended the race village in Les Sables d’Olonne which was open for 3 weeks before the race and for race finishes. This is a significant uplift on the 1.15 million in 2016, which is the last comparable year (as the 2020 edition was held during Covid and lock-down prevented physical attendance).
🌎 Unrivalled Global Reach
Aside from the official coverage, over 260,000 broadcasts took place (+7%) from 168 broadcasters (+30%) in 190 different territories, making this the most widely broadcast race in Vendée Globe history.
🌐 A Digital Explosion
The Vendée Globe’s own digital platforms saw a huge reach;
9.2 Billion social media impressions
31 Million engagements
1.6 Million followers (across all platforms)
More than 570k new followers gained during the race period.
The race helped bring attention to each participating skipper, and through their own story-telling and fierce personal battles, each skipper helped broaden the reach of the race – the perfect synergy.
Ollie has contributed significantly to the explosion of coverage in German-speaking Switzerland, featuring in hundreds of interviews and articles. Combined with his own social media, his story has reached millions of viewers across the globe.
2028 and beyond
Having established itself firmly as the pinnacle of offshore racing, planning for the 2028 edition of the Vendée Globe is already underway.
Once again, there will be a limit of 40 participants and a structured qualification and selection process. Given the skyrocketing interest in the race, it is certain that competition for a spot on the start line will be fiercer than ever.
With global ambitions, Swiss discipline, and a clear focus on sustainability, performance, and impact— we’re not just racing, we’re racing with purpose.
The race starts now.
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