An emotional evening in Les Sables d'Olonne

Vendée Globe sailing race prize ceremony © Olivier Blanchet / Alea

On Saturday 10 May, Les Sables d'Olonne lit up to celebrate the heroes of the Vendée Globe 2024-2025. An exceptional evening brought together tens of thousands of people, with strong emotions and unforgettable memories, despite the driving rain. From 6.30pm, the legendary channel was alive with the sounds of a huge nautical parade orchestrated by the Maindron Production teams. Nearly 70 boats paraded in an electrifying atmosphere.

The Vendée Globe skippers took pride of place on the Bénéteau boats, surrounded by iconic craft: the SNSM speedboat, fishing trawler, the Olonnois, the sailboats from the Sablais Nautical Sports School, the Atlantique Scaphandre fleet and the Vendée Globe RIBs.

This procession was highlighted by festive performances from DJ Fanou, Et Vogue la Galère, Kris Too Queen and his performers, Les Bidons de l'Enfer and Banda Couak On Joue, in a whirlwind of sound and colour.

The parade was followed by an awards ceremony. It was an emotional celebration of the courage and determination of the sailors. Then, just before 11pm, a monumental firework display by Jacques Couturier set the world's most beautiful bay ablaze.

Alain Leboeuf, Vendée Globe and Vendée Departemental Council President:

"What an emotional evening we're having in Les Sables d'Olonne, after a 10th edition that has simply been historic. Firstly because it has been a huge popular success, but also because we have brought together an incredibly rich line-up of competitors, reflecting the finest values of the Vendée Globe. These exceptional sailors have pushed back the limits to offer the whole world a truly global regatta. They have written a new page in this incredible adventure.

This diversity, this openness, this inclusive dimension, are today the pride of the Vendée Globe. And in the midst of all this excitement, we have remained true to the DNA of our event: a race of adventurers, of men and women alone in the face of the oceans, driven by their passion, their courage and their thirst to surpass themselves.

On 10 May, by honouring them, we celebrated much more than a race: we celebrated the spirit of the Vendée Globe. A spirit that makes people dream, inspires them, brings them together and gives them the desire to surpass themselves. Thank you to the skippers, thank you to the public, thank you to all those who, through their commitment and their passion, make the Vendée Globe an extraordinary human and maritime adventure."