The IMOCA D’Ieteren Group expected to make landfall in Les Sables d’Olonne on March 1st
Over three months have passed since Denis Van Weynbergh, skipper of the IMOCA D’Ieteren Group, took the start of the Vendée Globe. Currently latched onto the NE’ly trade wind, he is continuing to make headway towards his port of registry, Les Sables d’Olonne. If he manages to cross the finish line in this Vendée Globe, his performance will be unprecedented: he will become the first Belgian to complete the Everest of the seas.
Since rounding Cape Horn on 23 January 2025, Denis has had to contend with some fluky weather conditions, which have forced him to adapt his strategy and manoeuvre regularly.“The wind is fluctuating between 30-40 degrees and switching up from 15 km/hour 50 km/hour. I’m having to do lots of trimming and make a whole bunch of adjustments in terms of my trajectory,” he explained in early February. However, armed with patience and determination whatever is thrown at him, he has been demonstrating remarkable resilience since the start of his race.
Every course mark is taking him another step closer to realising his dream. For the past 6 years, Denis has been dividing his time between Belgium and Les Sables d’Olonne (where his project is based) in order to turn all his attention to successfully concluding his Vendée Globe project. With an entourage made up of a team of devoted volunteers, the skipper who was not able to take the start of the 2020 edition is now on course to fulfill his original goal: to finish the Vendée Globe.
A fleet of supporters are tracking the sailor’s adventure from Belgium and are preparing to head to Les Sables d’Olonne to welcome him back.
Right now, the ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) is scheduled for around March 1st and we’ll be sure to keep you posted about his progress and give you a more precise day and time once we receive more detailed information.
