After an epic, 28000-mile, solo voyage and with just a couple of hours between the top 3 boats, Yannick Bestaven (in the MAITRE COQ) takes the win od the VENDEE GLOBE 2020 in 80 days 3 hours 44 minutes and 46 seconds!
There is no such thing as an easy Vendée Globe race. It is rightly considered to be one of the very toughest sporting challenges in the world, and the 2020/2021 edition has been no exception. The starting line on November 8th, 2020 saw 33 skippers, 33 explorers, 33 free-spirited and crazy Ulysses, taking off from Les Sables d’Olonne, France.
#FR# LES SABLES D’OLONNE, FRANCE – 28 JANVIER: Maitre Coq, skipper Yannick Bestaven (FRA), est photographié recevant la montre Ulysse Nardin du vainqueur, des mains du PDG Patrick Pruniaux lors de son arrivée dans la course du Vendee Globe, le 28 Janvier 2021. (Photo Jean-Louis Carli/Alea)
In the early hours of January 28th, fireworks lit up the night sky as the victorious Bestaven approached the pontoon at Les Sables d’Olonne on France’s Vendee coast. It was 4:09 AM.
#FR# LES SABLES D’OLONNE, FRANCE – 28 JANVIER: Maitre Coq, skipper Yannick Bestaven (FRA), est photographié avec le trophée lors de son arrivée dans la course du Vendee Globe, le 28 Janvier 2021. (Photo Jean-Louis Carli/Alea)
“My main quality? Stubbornness.” admitted Bestaven before the start.
“This is not a race for those who doubt themselves” said Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Ulysse Nardin.
#FR# LES SABLES D’OLONNE, FRANCE – 27 JANVIER: Le skipper Charlie Dalin, Apivia, reçoit une montre Ulysse Nardin des mains du PDG Patrick Pruniaux pour avoir franchi le premier la ligne d’arrivée dans la course du Vendee Globe, le 27 Janvier 2021. (Photo Jean-Louis Carli/Alea)
This was the second Vendée Globe for French skipper Yannick Bestaven. The 48-year-old, at the helm of the Maitre Coq IV, was the third across the finish line. He arrived nearly eight hours behind the leader but won because of the 10hr 15min time bonus he carried for helping rescue a competitor (Kevin Escoffier) off of the Cape of Good Hope. Charlie Dalin in Apivia was the first to arrive in the Sables d’Olonne, sailing into port after 80 days, six hours, 15 minutes and 47 seconds at sea. Dalin was followed by fellow Frenchman Louis Burton in Bureau Vallee 2, however they placed second and third due to Bestaven’s time bonus.
#FR# LES SABLES D’OLONNE, FRANCE – 28 JANVIER: Le skipper Yannick Bestaven, Maitre Coq, est photographié avec du champagne lors de l’arrivée de la course du Vendee Globe, le 28 Janvier 2021. (Photo Yvan Zedda/Alea)
On Bestaven’s wrist, a blue DIVER chronometer in 44mm. On Dalin’s wrist, a DIVER X CAPE HORN. Both well deserved to mark their fabulous odysseys forever and talismans to take along on their next adventures.
Podium of the ninth Vendée Globe 2020
1 – Maître Coq IV (Yannick Bestaven), finished 28/01/2021 03:19:46 UTC.
Elapsed time 80d 13h 59min 46s.
Time compensation : -10h 15min 00s,
Offical corrected time : 80dj 03h 44min 46s.
Average speed on the theoretical course: 24 365.74 nm / 12.60 kts.
Miles sailed 28 583.80 nm at an average of 14.78 nds
2 – APIVIA (Charlie Dalin) finished 27/01/2021 19:35:47 UTC.
Elapsed time 80d 06h 15min 47s
No time compensation.
Time difference to first 02h 31min 01s
Average speed on the theoretical course: 24 365.74 nm / 12.65 nds
Miles sailed 29 135.01 nm at an average of 15.13 nds
3 – Bureau Vallée 2 (Louis Burton) finished 27/01/2021 23:45:12 UTC
Elapsed time 80d10h 25min 12s,
No compensation.
Time difference to first 06h 40min 26s,
Time difference to APIVIA 04h 09min 25s
Average speed on the theoretical course: 24 365.74 nm / 12.62 nds
Miles sailed 28 649.99 nms at an average of 14.84 nds
Technical Specifications
References
- Titanium, blue dial: 1183-170-3/93
- Titanium, black dial: 1183-170-3/92
- Great White Limited Edition: 1183-170LE-3/90-GW
- Monaco Limited Edition: 1185-170LE-3/BLACK-MON
Movement: Manufacture Movement UN-118
Power reserve: 60 h
Dial: Blue, black, grey
Case: Titanium
Bezel: Inverted concave unidirectional rotating bezel
Diameter: 44 mm
Water resistance: 300 m
Case back: Sapphire, except Great White
Strap: Rubber and pin buckle strap
Technical Specifications
References
- DIVER X Cape Horn 1183-170LE/92-CAP
Movement
- Caliber UN-118, 13 ¾”’
- In-house designed movement
- Escapement, Silicium & Diamonsil technology
- Titanium case with blue rubberized bezel
Diameter: 44 mm
Water resistance: 300 meters
Case back: Stamped with the route of the Vendée Globe
Strap: Fabric strap with Velcro closing
#FR# LES SABLES D’OLONNE, FRANCE – 28 JANVIER: Maitre Coq, skipper Yannick Bestaven (FRA), est photographié lors de son arrivée dans la course du Vendee Globe, le 28 Janvier 2021. (Photo Olivier Blanchet/Alea)
About Ulysse Nardin – Manufacture of Freedom
Ulysse Nardin is the Pioneering Manufacture inspired by the sea and delivering innovative timepieces to free spirits.
Founded by Mr. Ulysse Nardin in 1846 and a proud member of the global luxury group Kering since November 2014, Ulysse Nardin has written some of the finest chapters in the history of Haute Horlogerie. The company’s earliest renown came from its links to the nautical world: its marine chronometers are among the most reliable ever made, still sought by collectors around the world. A pioneer of cutting-edge technologies and the innovative use of materials like silicon, the brand is one of the few with the in-house expertise to produce its own high-precision components and movements. This exceptional level of watchmaking excellence has earned Ulysse Nardin membership in the most exclusive circle of Swiss watchmaking, the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie. Today, from its sites in Le Locle and La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland, the brand’s continuing quest for horological perfection centers around five collections: The Marine, the Diver, the Classico, the Executive and the Freak. In 2020, Ulysse Nardin explores the Xtremes, bringing the X-factor to the core of its collections. www.ulysse-nardin.com
#FR# LES SABLES D’OLONNE, FRANCE – 28 JANVIER: Le skipper Yannick Bestaven, Maitre Coq, est photographié avec son équipe lors de l’arrivée de la course du Vendee Globe, le 28 Janvier 2021. (Photo Yvan Zedda/Alea)
About Vendée Globe
To date, the Vendée Globe is the only sailing race round the world, solo, non-stop and without assistance. The event followed in the wake of the Golden Globe which had initiated the first circumnavigation of this type via the three capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn) in 1968. Twenty years later, after having won the BOC Challenge twice(solo round the world with stopovers), navigator Philippe Jeantot introduced the idea of a new race around the world, but..non-stop! The Vendée Globe race was born. On 26th November 1989, thirteen sailors took the start of the first edition which lasted over three months. Only seven returned to Les Sables d’Olonne.
The eight editions of what is now called the Everest of the seas by the public have enabled 167 contenders to take the start of this extraordinary race. Only 89 of them managed to cross the finish line. This figure alone shows the extreme difficulty of this global event in which solo racers are confronted to freezing cold, gigantic waves and heavy skies which sweep the Great South! The Vendée Globe is first and foremost a journey beyond the seas and deep down oneself… It has rewarded great sailors :TitouanLamazou in 1990, Alain Gautier in 1993, Christophe Auguin in 1997, Vincent Riou in 2005, François Gabart in 2013 and Armel LeCléac’h in 2017. The skipper from Finistère became the new record holder of the race in 74 days. Only one sailor has won it twice : Michel Desjoyeaux, in 2001 and 2009. The 9thVendée Globe will leave Les Sables d’Olonne on Sunday 8thNovember 2020.
