| Vendée Globe 1989–1990 | |
| Edition: | 1st Edition |
| Sponsor: | Vendee Region of France |
| Start: | Les Sables-d'Olonne |
| Finish: | Les Sables-d'Olonne |
| Course: | Single person non-stop round the world race |
| Startdate: | 26 November 1989 |
| Key People: | Race Director Denis Horeau |
| Competitors: | 13 |
| Yachts: | IMOCA 50 and IMOCA 60 |
| Participants: | 13 |
| Nations: | 3 |
| Site Web: | www.vendeeglobe.org |
| Prev: | N/A |
| Next: | 1992–1993 Vendee 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.
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]
| Participant | Name | Architect | Boat Builder | Year Launched | Notes | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generali Concorde | Le Guen-Hémidy | 1989 | [6] | ||||
| Grinaker | Martin | JJ Provoyeur (AFS] | 1989 | [7] | |||
| O'Kay | Kiwi Builder | 1986 | [8] | ||||
| Cacharel / Pen Duick III | Chantiers et ateliers de la Perrière | 1967 | |||||
| UAP | chantier Hervé et Pinta | 1986 | [9] | ||||
| 36.15 MET | Philippe Harlé Alain Mortain | Garcia | 1989 | [10] | |||
| Lada Poch | Luc Bouvet Olivier Petit | Chantier Couach | 1986 | ||||
| Duracell | Rodger Martin | Mike Plant JF Galvao | 1989 | [11] | |||
| Nouvel Observateur | 1985 | ||||||
| TBS-Charente Maritime | Chantier Hervé et Pinta | 1989 | |||||
| Crédit Agricole IV | Marc Lombard | Jeantot Marine | 1989 | ||||
| Fleury Michon X | ATA Jeanneau | 1989 | |||||
| Écureuil d'Aquitaine II | Luc Bouvet Olivier Petit | Chantier Capitaine Flint | 1989 |
| 1 | Ecureuil d'Aquitaine II | 109d 08h 48' 50" | |||
| 2 | Lada Poch | 110d 01h 18' 06" | |||
| 3 | 36.15 MET | 112d 01h 14' 00" | |||
| 4 | Crédit Agricole IV | 113d 23h 47' 47" | |||
| 5 | TBS-Charente Maritime | 114d 21h 09' 06" | |||
| 6 | Generali Concorde | 132d 13h 01' 48" | |||
| 7 | Cacharel | 163d 01h 19' 20" | |||
| DNF | Duracell | Received minor assistance (New Zealand) but completed the course in 135 days | |||
| DNF | Nouvel Observateur | Damaged auto-pilot (Falklands) | |||
| DNF | Bertie Reed | Grinaker | Damaged rudder | ||
| DNF | UAP | Dismasted | |||
| DNF | Fleury Michon X | Capsized | |||
| DNF | O'Kay | Medical Issue Toothache |