9theditionoftherace since 1989 21,638 miles long 74 days, 3 hours and 35 minutes, record set in 2016-17 by Frenchman Armel Le Cléac’h (not competing this time) 33 skippers this year, the biggest ever field 18 ‘bizuths’ or rookies, a record number 10 non-French skippers this year, from Britain, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Italy, Finland, Australia and Japan 6 female skippers this year, a record 8 women have attempted previous Vendée Globes since the race’s inception, among them Dame Ellen MacArthur and Dee Caffari 2 sailors who made it to the podium in 2017 are back: Alex Thomson, who was second, and Jérémie Beyou from France, who was third 2 podiums in 4 previous editions of the race makes Alex Thomson the most experienced and successful sailor on the start line…