FEATURED EVENTS
VENDÉE GLOBE
The Everest of the Seas
Imagine being alone, confined to a boat no larger than 40 square meters, amid extreme weather conditions that test your endurance and psyche.
You're at Point Nemo in the Pacific Ocean—the most remote spot from land on the planet. There, in the grip of a fierce low-pressure system and battling intense winds, emotions surge: fear, loneliness, and the passion for the sport. Fewer people have likely competed in this race than have traveled into space. It's crazy, and it's called the Vendée Globe.
AN INCREDIBLE ADVENTURE
The Vendée Globe is a single-handed, non-stop, non-assisted 45,000 km round-the-world race that's sailed every four years. The race, featuring the IMOCA class, has acquired an international reputation, attracting skippers worldwide. Beyond the competition, it is, above all, an incredible human adventure.
The Vendée Globe is a single-handed, non-stop, non-assisted 45,000 km round-the-world race that's sailed every four years. The race, featuring the IMOCA class, has acquired an international reputation, attracting skippers worldwide. Beyond the competition, it is, above all, an incredible human adventure.
ABOUT THE RACE
THE EVEREST OF THE SEAS
The Vendée Globe has a mythical status in France and a profile similar to that of the Tour de France. The race also has a history of incredible and inspiring stories of overcoming adversity, tragedy, and victory.
The Vendée Globe has a mythical status in France and a profile similar to that of the Tour de France. The race also has a history of incredible and inspiring stories of overcoming adversity, tragedy, and victory.
ABOUT THE RACE
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
The 40-boat 2024 Vendée Globe fleet participants include 14 international sailors, representing 11 nationalities. The fleet features 6 female skippers as well as 2 disabled skippers. To encourage innovation, 13 new generation IMOCAs were automatically selected.
The 40-boat 2024 Vendée Globe fleet participants include 14 international sailors, representing 11 nationalities. The fleet features 6 female skippers as well as 2 disabled skippers. To encourage innovation, 13 new generation IMOCAs were automatically selected.
ABOUT THE RACE
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
The tenth edition of the legendary Vendée Globe will set sail from Les Sables d’Olonne, France, on Sunday, 10th November 2024. North 3Di technology is powering the favored boats as North Sails remains the predominant sailmaker across the fleet.
The tenth edition of the legendary Vendée Globe will set sail from Les Sables d’Olonne, France, on Sunday, 10th November 2024. North 3Di technology is powering the favored boats as North Sails remains the predominant sailmaker across the fleet.
ABOUT THE RACE
NORTH SAILS ON BOARD
North Sails are used exclusively on 17 boats (42.5% market share) and used to some degree across 20 boats (50% market share), giving North Sails a significant presence across the entire fleet and the largest market share of any sailmaker by some distance.
North Sails are used exclusively on 17 boats (42.5% market share) and used to some degree across 20 boats (50% market share), giving North Sails a significant presence across the entire fleet and the largest market share of any sailmaker by some distance.
LOFT 57 PODCAST
NEW EPISODES
Offshore Sailor and Ocean Race Champion Charlie Enright hosts the Vendée Globe editions of Loft 57, the North Sails Podcast. This exclusive series features in-depth interviews with the characters who are connected to the iconic race.
Offshore Sailor and Ocean Race Champion Charlie Enright hosts the Vendée Globe editions of Loft 57, the North Sails Podcast. This exclusive series features in-depth interviews with the characters who are connected to the iconic race.
NORTH TECHNOLOGY ONBOARD
NORTH 3Di
3Di is an indispensable building block of champions. To the sailing world, 3Di is more than a top tier range of products; it is a vast library of materials that allows North Sails to customize sails to fit the precise requirements.
NORTH DESIGN SUITE
All teams have a license to use the North Design Suite, the most advanced sail design and aero simulation tools in the industry.
HELIX STRUCTURED LUFF
Helix Structure Luff is a design and engineering phenomenon that enable the Vendée Globe skippers to find another gear with their 3Di sails. Helix makes sails more versatile and capable of maximum performance across a wide wind range.
REDUCED IMPACT SAILS
An evolution of the Green Sail RULE, the IMOCA Class has implemented RISE, the world's first certifiable impact reduction system for sail manufacturing.
PERFORMANCE CLOTHING
North Sails Ambassadors Thomas Ruyant and Sam Goodchild will be using North Performance Gear in the 2024 edition of the race.
NORTH 3Di
3Di is an indispensable building block of champions. To the sailing world, 3Di is more than a top tier range of products; it is a vast library of materials that allows North Sails to customize sails to fit the precise requirements.
NORTH DESIGN SUITE
All teams have a license to use the North Design Suite, the most advanced sail design and aero simulation tools in the industry.
HELIX STRUCTURED LUFF
Helix Structure Luff is a design and engineering phenomenon that enable the Vendée Globe skippers to find another gear with their 3Di sails. Helix makes sails more versatile and capable of maximum performance across a wide wind range.
REDUCED IMPACT SAILS
An evolution of the Green Sail RULE, the IMOCA Class has implemented RISE, the world's first certifiable impact reduction system for sail manufacturing.
PERFORMANCE CLOTHING
North Sails Ambassadors Thomas Ruyant and Sam Goodchild will be using North Performance Gear in the 2024 edition of the race.
NORTH PERFORMANCE CLOTHING
SET OUT TO WIN
The team behind North Sails Performance Clothing has one singular goal; to create the best foul weather gear on the planet. The Performance range was launched in 2021 only following rigorous final testing by Vendée Globe racers in the run up to and including the 2020 race edition – with a pair of trousers being used for 40,000 NM of racing.
The team behind North Sails Performance Clothing has one singular goal; to create the best foul weather gear on the planet. The Performance range was launched in 2021 only following rigorous final testing by Vendée Globe racers in the run up to and including the 2020 race edition – with a pair of trousers being used for 40,000 NM of racing.
NORTH PERFORMANCE CLOTHING
GEAR DESIGNED TO PERFORM
Space on an IMOCA is limited, and there is no room for gear failure during a solo, non-stop, race around-the-world. Keeping sailors comfortable and dry is a requirement, even after hours on deck in heinous conditions. North Performance Clothing is up to the challenge.
Space on an IMOCA is limited, and there is no room for gear failure during a solo, non-stop, race around-the-world. Keeping sailors comfortable and dry is a requirement, even after hours on deck in heinous conditions. North Performance Clothing is up to the challenge.
NORTH PERFORMANCE CLOTHING
TESTING AT THE EXTREME
The 2024 edition of the race will again give North Sails Performance Clothing the opportunity to innovate, with products being tested by North Sails Ambassadors; Thomas Ruyant and Sam Goodchild.
The 2024 edition of the race will again give North Sails Performance Clothing the opportunity to innovate, with products being tested by North Sails Ambassadors; Thomas Ruyant and Sam Goodchild for our 2026 ranges.
NORTH PERFORMANCE CLOTHING
MADE TO THRIVE OFFSHORE
Thomas Ruyant is focused on winning the Vendee Globe, and is confident North Performance Clothing is the right kit to help him achieve that goal stating: “North Sails products are of the highest quality, and perfectly suited to offshore racing – the clothing allows me to experience the race in the best conditions.”
Thomas Ruyant is focused on winning the Vendee Globe, and is confident North Performance Clothing is the right kit to help him achieve that goal stating: “North Sails products are of the highest quality, and perfectly suited to offshore racing – the clothing allows me to experience the race in the best conditions.”
A WINNING COMBINATION
LOOKING AHEAD & WORKING TOGETHER
For North Sails, partnerships with teams competing in the Vendée Globe begin years in advance. There is a very close relationship between skippers, their teams, and sail designers to prepare for the journey. Once they arrive at the start, each IMOCA has a unique and ideal combination of sails.
For North Sails, partnerships with teams competing in the Vendée Globe begin years in advance. There is a very close relationship between skippers, their teams, and sail designers to prepare for the journey. Once they arrive at the start, each IMOCA has a unique and ideal combination of sails.
SHOP PERFORMANCE CLOTHING
SUGGESTED READING
OFFSHORE SAILING GUIDE
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"I'm delighted to work with the North Sails team. 3Di enables us to better optimize deformation and resistance. This technology allows great flexibility in sail design - a real advantage for us.”
JEREMIE BEYOU
CHARAL
“North Sails and 3Di are the obvious choice for my sails. As the biggest sailmaker, they can react quickly to specific sail questions and dimensions which is required on such a project.”
JUSTINE METTRAUX
TEAMWORK - TEAM SNEF
“Reliability of our sails is a top priority for the Vendee Globe. We trust North Sails and the 3Di 110%. It is a key reason we have such a strong partnership with North Sails.”
BORIS HERRMANN
MALIZIA, SEAEXPLORER