VENDÉE GLOBE
Yesterday, 10 May, Les Sables d’Olonne lit up to celebrate the heroes of the Vendée Globe 2024-2025. An exceptional evening brought together the general public for a grandiose event promising unforgettable memories. From 6.30pm, the legendary channel was alive with the sounds of a huge nautical parade orchestrated by the Maindron Production teams. Nearly 70 boats, adorned with lights and music, paraded in an electrifying atmosphere.
The forty Vendée Globe skippers took pride of place on the Bénéteau boats, surrounded by iconic craft: the SNSM speedboat, the Olonnois – iconic boats from Les Sables d’Olonne, the sailboats from the Sablais Nautical Sports School, the Atlantique Scaphandre fleet and the Vendée Globe RIBs.
This procession was highlighted by festive performances from DJ Fanou, Et Vogue la Galère, Kris Too Queen and his performers, Les Bidons de l’Enfer and Banda Couak On Joue, in a whirlwind of sound, colour and pyrotechnics.
The spectacular parade was followed by an awards ceremony. It was an emotional celebration of the courage and determination of the sailors. Then, shortly before 11pm, an incredible night-time show lit up the sky: a monumental fireworks display to magically set the most beautiful bay in the world ablaze.
This diversity, this openness, this inclusive dimension, are today the pride of the Vendée Globe. And in the midst of all this excitement, we have remained true to the DNA of our event: a race of adventurers, of men and women alone in the face of the oceans, driven by their passion, their courage and their thirst to surpass themselves.
On 10 May, by honouring them, we celebrated much more than a race: we celebrated the spirit of the Vendée Globe. A spirit that makes people dream, inspires them, brings them together and gives them the desire to surpass themselves. Thank you to the skippers, thank you to the public, thank you to all those who, through their commitment and their passion, make the Vendée Globe an extraordinary human and maritime adventure
