Every fourth year

once again they went
to battle against the sea
all around the world



Alex Thomson is starting his fifth Vendée Globe; he finished 3rd and 2nd in the last two events (2012-2013, 2016-2017). His boat seems the best for this year's race.

A very strange start this year: no one on the docks, no one along the channel that leads from Port Olonna, Les Sables' harbour, to the sea... It must have felt eerie for skippers to go from one to the other without the usual cheers from what is usually a many thousand crowd of enthusiasts. Hopefully the winner can come back with a welcome committee that's a bit more robust.

A record number of women on the start line this year. Actually rather a record number of boats on the start line!

Four years ago.

Extra: two minutes before the starting gun.