Andi Robertson

As the Vendée Globe wraps up, skippers are alreadly looking to the future and the next race. So what are the prospects for the class of 2021

- ANDI ROBERTSON

It is usually when skippers are bouncing upwind on the five to seven day starboard tack climbing the north Atlantic that they start to talk seriously about their next Vendée Globe. Jean Le Cam at 66? Never say never, he is a solo racer who – he admits – would be insufferable at home if the race were on and he were not in it. Come to that Nandor Fa, 63 when he was eighth, 67 now, would go again if Le Cam went. At the other end of the age spectrum Alan Roura is 28 at the end of February and has already two Vendée Globes under his belt, both as the youngest skipper. He wants to be back for a third.

But big picture it really is open season after this race. In some quarters the media return has never been greater, but I hear others – those whose ROI model is based on getting corporate guests to Les Sables d’Olonne – are rather less than happy. But for sure I don’t remember a level of activity as frenetic towards the end of a Vendée Globe as we are seeing this time.