Isabelle Joschke, 19th in the Vendée Globe 2024

by Vendée Globe media 4 Feb 00:37 GMT 3 February 2025

Isabelle Joschke (GER-FRA), skipper of MACSF, celebrates her 19th place in the Vendée Globe, on February 4, 2025 in Les Sables d'Olonne, France © Jean-Louis Carli / Alea

At 2328 UTC on 3 February, Isabelle Joschke crossed the Vendée Globe finish line in 19th position, after 85 days, 11 hours and 26 minutes of racing. Four years after a first participation that ended in retirement, the skipper of MACSF successfully completed her non-stop unassisted circumnavigation.

In doing so she overcame numerous problems, in particular a clean break of her starboard foil in the Pacific ocean. In doing this the Franco-German skipper achieved her goal of maintaining the positive and combative state of mind that she was aiming for.

Four years ago, Isabelle Joschke had sailed up the Sables d'Olonne channel on the same IMOC, but in a completely different context. Victim of a major keel failure, she had been forced to retire after rounding Cape Horn, before choosing to continue her solo circumnavigation after repairs had been completed.

This time the early part of Isabelle's race proceeded relatively well, apart from a sail failure in 40 knots of wind while passing Cape Finisterre. The skipper of MACSF then settled into a rhythm, gaining places in the ranking and crossing the equator in 19th place, a position she still held passing the Cape of Good Hope on December 6. She also set a personal 24 hour speed record, covering 458 miles. "I think I'm doing quite well," she remarked at the time.

Isabelle describes the Indian Ocean this year as being "tough" and chose the northern route in the company of Jean Le Cam and Alan Roura. She also held her own against boats with higher speed potential, showing impressive consistency and passed Cape Leeuwin again in 19th place.

December 29 brought a tense moment: on hearing a loud crack Isabelle immediately feared the same keel damage as four years ago. She went out on deck to see that the "starboard foil has snapped clean off". Added to this is an engine failure that makes battery charging problematic, and the mainsail is torn.

"My race will not be the same from now on", she explains, obviously dejected, and worried about the rest of the journey. Finishing, no matter what, becomes the only priority. Before Cape Horn, Isabelle slows to avoid the worst of the storm, dropping to 18th place.

By contrast, the weather worked in her favour in the early part of the south Atlantic, when it slowed the group of competitors in front. With eight boats bunched together less than 150 miles apart, Isabelle decided to try her luck near the Brazilian coast. This option smiled on her and she crossed the equator in 15th place before accelerating in the trade winds, as long as she was on starboard tack and therefore using the undamaged foil.

However, she slowed again in the Azores high pressure system, when the same group of boats came together again. Isabelle then pushed the boat to the full in the very tightly fought closing stages of her race. For a skipper who once had doubts about returning to the Vendée Globe, successfully overcoming the problems encountered and completing a solo non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation is also a victory in itself.

Race in figures

Arrival time (UTC) Monday 3 February 2025 at 23h28
Race time 85d 11h 26min 36s
Difference from first 20d 16h 03min 47s

Isabelle Joschke covered theoretical course of 23,906 miles at an average speed of 11.65 knots.
Isabelle Joschke covered an actual course of 29,660 miles at an average speed of 14.46 knots.

Race highlights

13 November 2024
Sail damage aboard MACSF after rounding Cape Finisterre in 40 knots of wind. Isabelle is relegated to the back of the fleet, in 35th position.

20 November 2024
Back in the game! After negotiating the calm, Isabelle is back up to 19th place before entering the doldrums.

22 November 2024
Crossing the equator, still in 19th position. "I celebrated by opening my best box of chocolates!"

30 November 2024
After a very isolated period in the south Atlantic, the wind drops for Isabelle who is caught up by the group led by Jean Le Cam.

5 December 2024
Passing the Cape of Good Hope, still in 19th position, after beating her 24-hour speed record on the boat: 458 miles in one day!

11 December 2024
Three-way match in the Indian Ocean with Jean Le Cam and Alan Roura, on a northern route to avoid the worst of a difficult sea state. "This year, the Indian Ocean is tough!"

17 December 2024
Passing Cap Leeuwin still in 19th position, Isabelle showing impressive consistency as she is joined in the fight by Giancarlo Pedote. "I'm happy, I think I'm doing quite well!"

20 December 2024
Isabelle takes 17th place as she enters the Pacific. "Today, the sea is a complete joy"

29 December 2024
"My starboard foil broke clean". A tough blow aboard MACSF, which accumulated other problems including engine failure and a torn mainsail. Jean Le Cam escapes.

4 January 2025
Weakened by the loss of her foil, Isabelle decides to slow down before Cape Horn to let the storm pass. Giancarlo Pedote makes the same choice, but Alan Roura continues.

6 January 2025
Rounds Cape Horn in 18th position.

14 January 2025
Thanks to some windless zones, Isabelle catches up with her comrades in front, but is also caught by those behind. There are now 8 boats less than 150 miles apart.

19 January 2025
A western option works for Isabelle who comes out at the head of her group, in 16th position before attacking the doldrums.

21 January 2025
Crossing the equator, the tropical convergence zone is particularly complex!

27 January 2025
After the madness of the trade winds, Isabelle, 18th, is slowed down again off the Azores. The fleet regroups again, making for an intense match in the final miles.

3 February 2025
Arrival in Les Sables d'Olonne after 85 days 11 hours at sea and in 19th position, four years after abandoning his first Vendée Globe following keel damage.