29 skippers have so far fulfilled the administrative, sporting and technical requirements to be able to take up the challenge of the 'Everest of the seas'. To compare the situation, twenty lined up for the last edition four years ago, so the number competing has leapt up (an increase of almost 50%). As Afloat.ie reported previously, sixty–year–old Enda O'Coineen from Galway will be Ireland's first entrant into the race.
O'Coineen's entry, named Kilcullen Voyager and styled as 'Team Ireland' bears the name of four Yacht Clubs: Royal Galway Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club, Royal Ocean Racing Club and the National Yacht Club.
The eighth Vendee Globe brings together sailors with a wide range of ambitions and from various backgrounds. Fourteen will be discovering the event, while fifteen are returning.
Five competitors will be entering the elite group of sailors, who have taken part in four editions of the Vendee Globe. One previous winner (Vincent Riou) and four other big names from the event, Bertrand de Broc, Jean-Pierre Dick, Jean Le Cam and frequent Irish visitor Alex Thomson. The two latter sailors have already made it to the podium, as has Armel Le Cleac'h (3rd attempt in 2016).
This edition is also marked by the arrival of a technological innovation, which has been heavily discussed, but which makes its first appearance in the Vendee Globe. Seven skippers will be setting off aboard IMOCA 60s fitted with foils
Six sailors will be setting sail aboard new foilers (Jean-Pierre Dick, Pieter Heerema, Sebastien Josse, Morgan Lagraviere, Armel Le Cleac'h, Alex Thomson), while Jeremie Beyou is competing aboard a monohull from a previous generation, but which has been modified to make the most of this development.
The line-up for the 2016-2017 Vendee Globe
4th attempt
Bertrand de Broc / MACSF (France - retired in 1992-1993 and 1996-1997, 9th in 2012-2013)
Jean-Pierre Dick / StMichel Virbac (France - 6th in 2004-2005, retired in 2008-2009, 4th in 2012-2013)
Jean Le Cam / Finistere Mer Vent (France - 2nd in 2004-2005, retired in 2008-2009, 5th in 2012-2013)
Vincent Riou/ PRB (France - winner in 2004-2005, 3rd equal in 2008-2009, retired in 2012-2013)
Alex Thomson /Hugo Boss (Britain - retired in 2004-2005 and 2008-2009, 3rd in 2012-2013)
3rd attempt
Jeremie Beyou / Maître CoQ (France - retired in 2008-2009 and 2012-2013)
Arnaud Boissieres / La Mie Câline (France - 7th in 2008-2009 and 8th in 2012-2013)
Kito de Pavant /Bastide Otio (France - retired in 2008-2009 and 2012-2013)
Nandor Fa / Spirit of Hungary (Hungary - 5th in 1992-1993, retired in 1996-1997)
Sebastien Josse /Edmond de Rothschild (France - 5th in 2004-2005, retired in 2008-2009)
Armel Le Cleac'h / Banque Populaire VIII (France - 2nd in 2008-2009 and 2nd in 2012-2013)
2nd attempt
Louis Burton / Bureau Vallee (France - retired in 2012-2013)
Tanguy de Lamotte / Initiatives Coeur (France - 10th in 2012-2013)
Yann Elies /Queginer Leucemie Espoir (France - retired in 2008-2009)
Rich Wilson / Great American IV (American - 9th in 2008-2009)
1st attempt
- Fabrice Amedeo / Newrest-Matmut (France)
- Romain Attanasio / Famille Mary - Etamine du Lys (France)
- Eric Bellion / CommeUnSeulHomme (France)
- Conrad Colman / 100% Natural Energy (New Zealand)
- Didac Costa / One Planet One Ocean (Spain)
- Sebastien Destremau / TechnoFirst-FaceOcean (France)
- Pieter Heerema / No Way Back (Netherlands)
- Morgan Lagraviere / Safran (France)
- Stephane Le Diraison Compagnie du Lit -Boulogne Billancourt (France)
- Paul Meilhat / SMA (France)
- Enda O'Coineen / Kilcullen Voyager-Team Ireland (Ireland)
- Alan Roura / La Fabrique (Switzerland)
- Thomas Ruyant / Le Souffle du Nord pour le projet Imagine (France)
- Kojiro Shiraishi / Spirit of Yukoh (Japan)