Vendée Globe: Vendée Globe starting field published - Oliver Heer in luck: "We are in!"
Tatjana Pokorny
· 02.07.2024
The starting field for the 10th Vendée Globe is official as of today: 40 daredevils from eleven nations want to start the solo round-the-world race off Les Sables-d'Olonne on 10 November. 34 men and six women will take on the challenge of the toughest solo test in sailing. With Boris Herrmann from Hamburg and the German-French Isabelle Joschke, two sea-stormers will also be racing under the black, red and gold flag. The battle for the 40th and final starting place has now been won by the Swiss Oliver Heer.
For safety reasons and to preserve the unique and exceptional character of this regatta, the number of starters has been set at 40" (Organiser Vendée Globe)
Originally, 44 candidates had applied for a starting place in the most important single-handed regatta in the international sailing world. In the end, 42 qualified, but a last-minute petition to increase the number of starters from 40 to 42 for the 2024 and 2028 editions was not granted. The organisers immediately provided the reason for this: "For safety reasons and to preserve the unique and exceptional character of this regatta, the number of starters was set at 40, as will also be the case for the 2028 edition."
Three candidates, only one wildcard for the Vendée Globe
The qualification rules for the Vendée Globe were tightened in 2020 in view of the impressive class growth: Sailors had to compete in two solo races between 2022 and 2024 and finish at least one of them in a time that remained within the winner's time plus 50 per cent. Of the campaigns, 42 were able to fulfil these requirements. Furthermore, the strict and goal-orientated regulations, which serve the good of the race and the associated Imoca class, stipulated that 13 newly built boats would be automatically selected. A further 26 teams were selected according to the number of nautical miles earned since the Transat Jacques Vabre in specified regattas.
The 39th and final Vendée Globe starting place was secured by the young Frenchwoman Violette Dorange. Her compatriot Clarisse Crémer made the cut in 37th place and said: "I feel like I've just come out of three years of fog. It's a huge relief." The 40th place had been linked to a wild card for all conceivable and inconceivable cases and therefore initially remained empty.
The most miles were the deciding factor
In recent weeks and months, the wild card for the Vendée Globe has been held by Switzerland's Oliver Heer, Great Britain's James Harayda and France's François Guiffant in 41st to 43rd place. The latter was always a shaky candidate because his Imoca was built in 2004, but boats for the Vendée Globe should not be older than 2005.
It was not an easy decision, because all three skippers really deserved it" (Alain Lebœuf)
In the end, Oliver Heer came out on top in the Olympic-style battle for the Vendée Globe ticket with the most miles sailed. Alain Lebœuf, President of the Vendée Department and the Vendée Globe, commented: "It was not an easy decision because all three skippers really deserved it. I consulted with several people, including the president of the Imoca class and my race director. After careful consideration, I decided to play the selection game and decide between them based on their order in the mileage rankings in order to respect the rules of the sport."
Oliver Heer's dream is alive, while the dreams of his competitors have finally been dashed. The Swiss sailor was overjoyed, as his journey to the decision was both a rollercoaster ride and a nail-biter. Rigging problems had forced the Swiss sailor to retire from the Transat Jacques Vabre 2023. The setback had cost his team almost 7,000 nautical miles in the race for 40th place on the starting grid and knocked them back to 41st place in the battle for the Vendée Globe starting place. Anxious times followed for Olli Heer. With a lot of fighting spirit and his heart in his hand, he kept himself in the game despite severe setbacks and a capsize during the two completed transats this year.
Oliver Heer's Vendée Globe dream lives on
At the end of a tense few weeks, the Vendée Globe organisers put an end to all speculation on 2 July. Oliver Heer said: "I am extremely proud to be the first Swiss-German to take part in the Vendée Globe. I hope that I can inspire some young sailors to sail offshore. With my place now confirmed, I can prepare myself and the boat for the biggest offshore challenge in November."
The 36-year-old from St. Gallen thanked his partners emotionally: "I can't thank all my partners and supporters enough. I know it was an anxious time of waiting. Your messages of support have meant a lot to me."
The level of competition is incredibly high. I'm looking forward to going out there and competing against each and every one of them on board 'Malizia - Seaexplorer'" (Boris Herrmann)
Boris Herrmann also took the publication of the 40 confirmed Vendée Globe starters as an opportunity to send a message to his fans. The 43-year-old from Hamburg wrote: "Here we go! Today it's 130 days until the start of my second Vendée Globe participation and I'm really looking forward to it. On 10 November, 40 skippers will be at the start of this very tough race. The level of competition is incredibly high. But even better is the fact that the field is so diverse. I'm looking forward to getting out there and competing against each and every one of them on board the 'Malizia - Seaexplorer'."
