1989–1990 Vendée Globe

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.

Vendée Globe 1989–1990

Event title
Name	Vendée Globe 1989–1990
Edition	1st Edition
Sponsor	Vendee Region of France
Event details
Start location	Les Sables-d'Olonne
Finish location	Les Sables-d'Olonne
Course	Single person non-stop round the world race
Start date	26 November 1989
Finish date	26 November 1989
Yachts	IMOCA 50 and IMOCA 60
Key people	Race Director Denis Horeau
Competitors
Competitors	13
Competing nations	3
Results
Gold	Titouan Lamazou (FRA)
Silver	Loïck Peyron (FRA)
Bronze	Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (FRA)
← N/A 1992–1993 Vendee Globe →

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.^[1]

Philippe Jeantot, Vendée Globe founder, had problems with breakdowns, and then unfavorable winds, which held him back from the race lead.^[2] 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.^[3] 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.^[4]

Race Director for the first edition was Denis Horeau, who went on to run further editions of the race.^[5]

Competitors

Profile Pictures

• 
   Alain Gautier (FRA) Generali Concorde
• 
   Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (FRA) 36.15 MET
• 
   Loïck Peyron (FRA) Lada Poch
• 
   Philippe Poupon (FRA) Fleury Michon X
• 
   Titouan Lamazou (FRA) Écureuil d'Aquitaine II

Entries Information

Participants 1989–1990

Participant	Name	Architect	Boat builder	Year launched	Notes	Reference
Alain Gautier (FRA)	Generali Concorde	Jean-Marie Finot	Le Guen-Hémidy	1989		[6]
Bertie Reed (RSA)	Grinaker	Martin	JJ Provoyeur (AFS]	1989		[7]
Guy Bernardin (FRA)	O'Kay	Bruce Farr	Kiwi Builder	1986		[8]
Jean-François Coste (FRA)	Cacharel / Pen Duick III	Éric Tabarly	Chantiers et ateliers de la Perrière	1967
Jean-Yves Terlain (FRA)	UAP	Joubert-Nivelt	chantier Hervé et Pinta	1986		[9]
Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (FRA)	36.15 MET	Philippe Harlé Alain Mortain	Garcia	1989		[10]
Loïck Peyron (FRA)	Lada Poch	Luc Bouvet Olivier Petit	Chantier Couach	1986
Mike Plant (USA)	Duracell	Rodger Martin	Mike Plant JF Galvao	1989		[11]
Patrice Carpentier (FRA)	Nouvel Observateur	Robert Nikerson		1985
Pierre Follenfant (FRA)	TBS-Charente Maritime	Joubert-Nivelt	Chantier Hervé et Pinta	1989
Philippe Jeantot (FRA)	Crédit Agricole IV	Marc Lombard	Jeantot Marine	1989
Philippe Poupon (FRA)	Fleury Michon X	Philippe Briand	ATA Jeanneau	1989
Titouan Lamazou (FRA)	Écureuil d'Aquitaine II	Luc Bouvet Olivier Petit	Chantier Capitaine Flint	1989

Results

Table: Order of Finish, 1989–1990 Vendée Globe^[12]

Pos	Sailor	Yacht	Time	Ref.
1	Titouan Lamazou (FRA)	Ecureuil d'Aquitaine II	109d 08h 48' 50"
2	Loïck Peyron (FRA)	Lada Poch	110d 01h 18' 06"
3	Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (FRA)	36.15 MET	112d 01h 14' 00"
4	Philippe Jeantot (FRA)	Crédit Agricole IV	113d 23h 47' 47"
5	Pierre Follenfant (FRA)	TBS-Charente Maritime	114d 21h 09' 06"
6	Alain Gautier (FRA)	Generali Concorde	132d 13h 01' 48"
7	Jean-François Coste (FRA)	Cacharel	163d 01h 19' 20"
DNF	Mike Plant (USA)	Duracell	Received minor assistance (New Zealand) but completed the course in 135 days
DNF	Patrice Carpentier (FRA)	Nouvel Observateur	Damaged auto-pilot (Falklands)
DNF	Bertie Reed	Grinaker	Damaged rudder
DNF	Jean-Yves Terlain (FRA)	UAP	Dismasted
DNF	Philippe Poupon (FRA)	Fleury Michon X	Capsized
DNF	Guy Bernardin (FRA)	O'Kay	Medical 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.^[13]
• 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