The 1989–1990 Vendée Globe Challenge, which later became the first edition of the Vendée Globe, was a non-stop round the world sailing race, sailed west to east. The start was 26 November 1989 from Les Sables-d'Olonne. Thirteen boats started and seven finished due to multiple abandonments, which is common in this "Everest of the Sea" that is the Vendée Globe. It was won by Titouan Lamazou on 15 March 1990 creating the first benchmark of the event, a record that stood until the 1996–1997 edition.
Background
The inaugural Vendée Globe set off from Les Sables d'Olonne on 26 November 1989. Frenchman Titouan Lamazou, sailing Ecureuil d'Aquitaine II, won the race with a time of 109 days.
Philippe Jeantot, Vendée Globe founder, had problems with breakdowns, and then unfavorable winds, which held him back from the race lead. Philippe Poupon's ketch Fleury Michon X capsized in the Southern Ocean; and Poupon was rescued by Loïck Peyron, who finally finished second, in what was generally a successful first run of the race. Mike Plant, the lone American in the race, disqualified himself after receiving minor assistance near Campbell Island, New Zealand after a $5 rigging part on his sloop, Duracell, was damaged in the Pacific Ocean. Plant was scored Did not finish, but to the admiring French, he emerged a real hero after repairing the rigging and finishing the course as an unofficial competitor in 135 days, a new American single-handed circumnavigation record.Excerpt from Broken Seas by Marlin Bree Retrieved 8 October 2013
Race Director for the first edition was Denis Horeau, who went on to run further editions of the race. Competitors
Profile Pictures
Entries Information + Participants 1989–1990 Participant Name Architect Boat builder Year launched Notes Reference Generali Concorde Jean-Marie Finot Le Guen-Hémidy 1989 Grinaker Martin JJ Provoyeur (AFS] 1989 O'Kay Bruce Farr Kiwi Builder 1986 Cacharel / Pen Duick III Éric Tabarly Chantiers et ateliers de la Perrière 1967 UAP Joubert-Nivelt chantier Hervé et Pinta 1986 36.15 MET Philippe Harlé Alain Mortain Garcia 1989 Lada Poch Luc Bouvet Olivier Petit Chantier Couach 1986 Duracell Rodger Martin Mike Plant JF Galvao 1989 Nouvel Observateur Robert Nikerson 1985 TBS-Charente Maritime Joubert-Nivelt Chantier Hervé et Pinta 1989 Crédit Agricole IV Marc Lombard Jeantot Marine 1989 Fleury Michon X Philippe Briand ATA Jeanneau 1989 Écureuil d'Aquitaine II Luc Bouvet Olivier Petit Chantier Capitaine Flint 1989
Results
+Table: Order of Finish, 1989–1990 Vendée GlobePosSailorYachtTimeRef. 1 Ecureuil d'Aquitaine II 109d 08h 48' 50" 2 Lada Poch 110d 01h 18' 06" 3 36.15 MET 112d 01h 14' 00" 4 Crédit Agricole IV 113d 23h 47' 47" 5 TBS-Charente Maritime 114d 21h 09' 06" 6 Generali Concorde 132d 13h 01' 48" 7 Cacharel 163d 01h 19' 20" DNF Duracell Received minor assistance (New Zealand) but completed the course in 135 days DNF Nouvel Observateur Damaged auto-pilot (Falklands) DNF Bertie ReedGrinakerDamaged rudder DNF UAPDismasted DNF Fleury Michon XCapsized DNF O'KayMedical Issue Toothache
Incidents Philippe Poupon's boat was struck by a wave and ended up lying heeled at 90 degrees. Loïck Peyron, in a remarkable bit of seamanship, took the boat in tow, and after Philippe Poupon detached the mast the boat righted itself. A film of the event can be seen here. Jean-Yves Terlain dismasted south of Cape Town. Guy Bernardin was forced to retire due to a dental problem and made a stopover in Australia
References and publications
External links Official Vendée Globe Website Official Vendée Globe YouTube Channel