Clarisse Crémer 11th in the Vendée Globe 2024-2025

Clarisse Crémer 11th in the Vendée Globe 2024-2025 © L'Occitane Sailing Team

After an exhausting last few miles in the Bay of Biscay, battling relentlessly and in contact with Benjamin Dutreux, as well as long final hours under pressure, threatened by the winds and swell of storm Hermine, Clarisse Crémer crossed the finish line of the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe this Monday 27 January 2025 at 04h36'28'', in 11th position.

A remarkable feat after an express and sometimes thwarted preparation, during which the young woman never stopped believing and overcame every obstacle in her path. She came back even stronger, proving once again that her determination knew no bounds, on land or at sea.

Due to the weather conditions this Sunday and Monday, with strong southerly winds and a powerful swell making the channel in Les Sables d'Olonne impassable, the skipper of L'Occitane en Provence and her technical team, in consultation with the Race Direction, have taken the decision to head for the port of La Rochelle. Less unfavorable conditions will enable Clarisse and her boat to take shelter from the storm.

18 months of fighting, against all odds, for 77 incredible days around the world, and a magnificent 11th place at the end of it all. Thanks to the support of her new partner L'Occitane en Provence and the expertise of Alex Thomson's team, Clarisse Crémer was once again able to shine on the most beautiful of solo races, marking this 10th edition of the Vendée Globe as much by her self-sacrifice as by her spontaneity and radiant happiness at sea. Adopted by the general public four years ago thanks to her freshness and transparent communication, the yachtswoman once again won over her admirers by remaining true to herself and hiding nothing of her daily life at sea, but also impressed connoisseurs and amateurs alike with a perfectly mastered race.

The skipper of L'Occitane en Provence was always in the right frame of mind, always in the right groups, sometimes leading, sometimes following, and never giving up. She proved to be particularly serene and mentally sound, accepting the hazards inherent in this veritable Everest of the seas, and often battling the elements. Any naivety or inexperience she showed in 2020 has disappeared, the sailor has worked hard on her mental perspective, strengthened by a first experience that has enabled her to keep her precious morale stable, and remain solid in the face of adversity. By finishing in 77 days 15 hours and 34 minutes, the sailor also improves her personal record by almost 10 days. A feat worthy of the commitment and tenacity she has always shown.

Clarisse will now be able to savour and celebrate this fine personal victory with the public, before returning to her family and her role as a young mother, while awaiting the return of her husband Tanguy Le Turquais, still at sea.

They Said:

Clarisse Crémer, skipper of the IMOCA L'Occitane en Provence: "Vendée Globe 2024 is in my pocket! What a relief! Just under 78 days to sail around the world, it's absurd... A great 11th place, and given the preparation I've had, we worked well as a team. We couldn't have done it a lot better!

I'm all alone in the middle of the night, with nobody, but with the same joy! This has to be the most intimate finish in the history of the Vendée Globe. I can't wait to see people to celebrate it, it's really so cool! Now, go to La Rochelle!"

Adrien Geiger, CEO L'Occitane en Provence: "Clarisse's performance is impressive, especially in a context where she had to overcome many technical, physical and emotional challenges. She showed incredible courage, perseverance and resilience, which perfectly reflect L'Occitane's values. For us, she's a winner because she embodies the values of authenticity, surpassing oneself and sincerity that are at the heart of our House. Her adventure is not just a race, it's an inspiration to thousands of women and men around the world. We are proud to have supported her on this great journey, and honored to be part of this new page in her story."

Alex Thomson: "Reaching the start line of this race was already a remarkable achievement for Clarisse and the team, but crossing the finish line today is nothing short of extraordinary. Clarisse has demonstrated exceptional determination, courage, throughout this race. She has shown us the importance of resetting one's mindset, silencing the noise, and embracing the unique challenges of a race as demanding as this. I hope she is cherishing this moment and enjoys reconnecting with her family. The boat has performed admirably, a testament to the skill and dedication of our technical team, whose efforts have been instrumental in supporting Clarisse. This Vendée Globe has been unforgettable!"

Her Race in Figures

Finish time (French time): Monday 27 January 2025 at 04H36'28''
Race time: 77 days 15 hours 34 minutes and 28 seconds

Clarisse Crémer covered the 23,905-mile theoretical course at a speed of 12.83 knots
She has actually covered 27 901 miles at an average speed of 14.97 knots

Passage Time

• Equator One way: 11 days, 15 hours, 19 minutes and 37 seconds on 22 November 2024 at 3:20:00 UTC
• Cape of Good Hope: 22 days, 5 hours, 14 minutes and 56 seconds on 2 December 2024 at 17:16:56 UTC
• Cape Leeuwin: 32 days, 15 hours, 00 minutes and 57 seconds on 13 December 2024 at 03:02:57 UTC
• Cape Horn: 52 days, 02 hours, 17 minutes and 07 seconds on 01 January 2025 at 14:19:07 UTC
• Equator Return: 65 days, 19 hours, 19 minutes and 16 seconds on 15 January 2025 at 07:21:16 UTC

• 10/11/2024 | 12:02 UTC: Top start of the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe, Clarisse manages to position herself well in very light winds and attacks her first tacks in 3rd position
• 13/11/2024: Clarisse loses her large MH0 gennaker south of Portugal
• 15/11/2024: Mathilda, daughter of Clarisse and Tanguy Le Turquais celebrates her 2nd birthday!
• 20/11/2024: Entry into the Doldrums
• 21/11/2024: electrical issue onboard L'Occitane en Provence
• 22/11/2024 | 3:20 UTC: Crossing the Equator
• 25/12/2024: Clarisse catches a low-pressure system off Rio (Brazil) which enables her to sail down the South Atlantic
• 28/11/2024: Special anti-dreadlocks operation aboard L'Occitane en Provence
• 02/12/2024 | 17:16:56 UTC: Rounding the Cape of Good Hope
• 05/12/2024: Damage on the foil ram support, Clarisse can no longer adjust the angle of her appendage correctly
• 13/12/2024 | 03:02:57 UTC: Passing Cape Leeuwin
• 17/12/2024: Following various incidents and the breaking of her mainsail hook, Clarisse misses the front that should have sent her towards Cape Horn with the leading pack
• 21/12/2024: Crossing the anti-meridian
• 24/12/2024: Nice Christmas present aboard L'Occitane en Provence: Clarisse has repaired her mainsail hook
• 27/12/2024: Water leak at the foot of L'Occitane en Provence's mast and loss of both onboard computers: Clarisse no longer has access to her main navigation tools and weather files
• 29/12/2024: Clarisse manages to recover a computer after 2 days of sailing 'blind'
• 30/12/2024: Clarisse celebrates her 35th birthday!
• 01/01/2025 | 14:19:07 UTC: Rounding Cape Horn for the New Year!
• 02/01/2025: "The best day of the year so far": Clarisse enjoys a visit from albatrosses and dolphins, Benjamin Dutreux within sight of less than a mile
• 05/01/2025: Tired, Clarisse suffers from hallucinations on board
• 06/01/2025: Movement faulty and back blocked
• 07/01/2025: Buffet stop caused by a fishing net and rapid repair of one of the pilot cylinders
• 12/01/2025: Stormy crossing of Cabo Frio
• 13/01/2025: Back in the trade winds
• 14/01/2025: Collision with cargo ship avoided
• 15/01/2025 | 07:21:16 UTC: 2nd crossing of the equator and last grapefruit on board
• 19/01/2025: Clarisse receives a 60-minute penalty following the accidental rupture of the lead in her survival bag
• 23/01/2025: A strong low-pressure system threatens the finish area in Les Sables d'Olonne
• 24/01/2025: The Vendée Globe Race Direction activates the 'storm' finish line 30 miles from Les Sables d'Olonne
• 26/01/2025: With the storm Hermina preventing them from using the channel in Les Sables d'Olonne, Clarisse, her team and the Race Direction decide to divert the IMOCA L'Occitane en Provence towards La Rochelle after crossing the finish line
• 27/01/2025 | 04:36:28 UTC: Clarisse crosses the finish line of her 2nd Vendée Globe and heads for the port of La Rochelle to take shelter