Top start for Clarisse Crémer in the Vendée Globe

After saying a poignant goodbye to her family and friends and greeting the 350,000 people who had turned out to watch her make her historic ascent of the channel in Les Sables d'Olonne, Clarisse set off, more determined than ever this Sunday, at 13h02, to tackle her second circumnavigation of the globe.

"I experienced the emotion of my first Vendée Globe four years ago. This time, I'm experiencing the thrill of sailing down the famous channel. It's great and, frankly, it's impressive to experience (...) It's really great fun and I think we're going to be a bit lost once we get out to sea, as it's a bit 'too much' for us, as we're going to be all alone on our boats for three months. The transition is likely to be a bit rough. Right now, I'm smiling, it's fun and I'm enjoying the moment, but I know that there's going to come a time when we're going to have to get back into the race. It's not necessarily going to be easy, but I'm prepared. What can I hope for? First and foremost to finish, to go a bit faster than last time and above all to experience moments of joy at sea, because that's what I'm going to be looking for!"

L'Occitane Sailing Team - Vendée Globe - photo © Mark Llyod / Alea

Despite very light wind conditions, the skipper of L'Occitane en Provence managed to position herself well in the start area to catch some strengthening breezes and pick up the pace from the very first miles of the race. Three hours after the start, in 13th position with just over five miles raced, she was finally picking up some wind thanks to her decision to opt for a northerly trajectory, which enabled her to quickly gain ground to the west and pick up some steadier airs.

Here we go for 24,000 miles of single-handed, non-stop, unassisted sailing!

L'Occitane Sailing Team - Vendée Globe - photo © PKC Media / L'Occitane Sailing Team