JEREMIE BEYOU COMPLETES VENDÉE GLOBE PODIUM ON NORTH-POWERED MAITRE COQ
Jeremie Beyou completes Vendée Globe podium on North-Powered Maitre Coq
French skipper Jérémie Beyou finished the Vendée Globe today on his IMOCA Maitre COQ, at 7:40 pm local time after 79 days at sea. Beyou has participated in this iconic singlehanded around-the-world race twice before, in 2008 and 2012, and on his third participation he finished in third place behind race winner Armel Le Cléac’h and second place finisher Alex Thompson.
On the foredeck of Maitre COQ after reaching Nouch Sud, Jeremie told reporters, “After all the challenges of this race, to finish third is awesome!” Later he followed with, “Since this morning I have relaxed, after 78 days, we are very comfortable, I took advantage of it.”
Past winner of La Solitaire du Figaro, Jeremie is an experienced offshore sailor, and this Vendée Globe race has put his experience to the test. Shortly after his departure from Les Sables d’Olonne on November 6th, Jérémie lost the use of two autopilots. Later his fleet antenna broke which prevented him from receiving regular weather updates. He kept rolling with the punches, and recalled today, “When my mainsail hook broke, I almost gave up. It was pitch dark, and I told myself I would never be able to repair it. Afterward, I don’t know where I got the energy, but I managed to do it. Each decent maneuver is a victory, and you have to be pleased about that.”
Jérémie sailed a total of 27,101 nautical miles before reaching Nouch Sud. His average speed was 14.43 knots, his top distance in 24 hours was 504 miles (November 21, averaging 21 knots boat speed).
The 8th Vendée Globe started on the 6th November from Les Sables d’Olonne. 22 of 29 skippers left the dock with North Sails onboard, and Jeremie Beyou’s Maitre COQ is one of 13 boats with complete North Sails inventories.
View North Sails coverage of the Vendée Globe, featuring commentary from the North team and brand ambassador, Sam Davies, on our dedicated race webpage.
