Charlie Dalin (France) – the winning skipper of the New York Vendée

Photo: Olivier Blanchet/Alea/Vendée Globe

The New York Vendée Les Sables d’Olonne, which set sail on May 29 at 2pm, local time, saw winners start to cross the finishing line in France from June 8, in the dark, a few minutes before midnight (Les Sables d’Olonne time), until some five days later, last Thursday, when the last of 28 competitors completed the race, one having not made it to the end.

With twice as many in number this time, compared to this New York event’s first edition in 2016, it’s a racing class that’s not for the faint-hearted.

Competing boats of the New York Vendée all measured 18.28m (60ft) in length, with a 4.50m draught, and foils that are engaged at speed – which is a regular occurrence. This Imoca (International Monohull Open Class Association) class is said to be the most powerful monohull on the planet led by a solo skipper, reaching nearly 40 knots downwind at top speed.

Initiatives-Coeur skipper Sam Davies (Great Britain) and his team, leaving Brooklyn marina to join the start of the New York Vendée; photo: Mark Lloyd/Alea/Vendée Globe

Factoring in technological advances in Imocas, the record time of nine days, 16hrs, 57mins, 52s for this transatlantic regatta, set by Jérémie Beyou in 2016 was expected to be challenged. It was not far off, but the winning time from French skipper Charlie Dalin, in Imoca Macif Santé Prévoyance was 10 days, 3hrs, 44mins, 30s.

This second New York Vendée was innovative: it was started far offshore, nearly 100 miles from the coast – to preserve ecosystems and marine fauna as much as possible. Marine biodiversity protection zones were also fixed to the north, on the way out from the US East Coast and around the Azores.

Initially, the weather was hard to read and deal with – bringing very light wind, then squalls, then most skippers faced a front – all, except Dalin and Boris Herrmann (Malizia – Seaexplorer) who pressed very hard, gaining “metre after metre” according to Dalin, before escaping it.

Dalin sailed to the finish to claim his first solo Imoca transatlantic victory; the German skipper, who set off to the north, lengthened his stride until the finish, taking second place.

The New York Vendée top three, from left: second-placed Boris Herrmann (Germany), winner Charlie Dalin (France) and third place Jérémie Beyou (France); photo: Jean-Louis Carli/Alea/Vendée Globe

The chasing pack modified their objective. In this race within the race, Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable), representing Great Britain, dismasted though, Jérémie Beyou (Charal, who finished third) of France found he had more mental and physical resources than he imagined. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil, fourth place) was impressive and Sam Davies (Initiatives Coeur, sixth) persisted to the point of overtaking Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa, seventh) just before the finish.

Two skippers in the New York race were based in Asia: Kojiro Shiraishi (Japan) and Xu Jingkun (China), while another – James Harayda (Great Britain) – was born in Singapore.

Kojiro Shiraishi (Japan) skippered DMG Mori Global One to 15th place; 

Photo: Jean-Louis Carli/Alea/Vendée Globe

Third-time Vendée Globe participant, Shiraishi raced with DMG Mori Global One, achieving 15th place in this race from New York.

In February 2021, aboard the same yacht, Shiraishi completed the Vendée Globe. For the 2024 global edition, he aims to do better than his 16th place in 2020, with the same hull that is equipped with new foils and a new bow.

Singchain Team Haikou skipper Jingkun Xu (China) arriving at Les Sables d’Olonne 

Photo: Jean-Louis Carli/Alea/Vendée Globe

Xu, first-time participant, a top sailing athlete in China, racing with Singchain Team Haikou, placed 26th. He has taken on several challenges: sailing solo around the China Sea, and in a Mini Transat 6.50 around the world. In 2008, he took part in the Beijing Paralympic Games.

Growing up in Singapore, also a first-time participant Harayda, of Gentoo Sailing Team, placed 19th in the New York Vendée. Representing the Pacific region, from New Zealand, MS Amlin skipper, Conrad Colman placed 21 in the New York race.

Conrad Colman (New Zealand), skippering MS Amlin to 21st place; photo: Conrad Colman

Each competitor was awarded 4,755 miles of Vendée racing, except for Sam Goodchild, who sailed 3,113, before being forced to retire.

On May 24, ahead of the New York Vendée one-nautical-mile in Manhattan Bay, called Vendée Liberty had taken place. Four pools set off after each other to put on this exhibition event, for spectators that generated a buzz. 

The Vendée Global takes place from November 10, with the final list of competitors to be announced on July 2.

newyorkvendee.org