On Sunday, November 10, 2024, the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe set sail from Les Sables-d’Olonne.
For this anniversary edition of the legendary solo, non-stop, unassisted round-the-world sailing race, all 40 skippers once again took on board an essential tool: the Squid X weather routing software, combined with high-resolution forecast data provided by D-ICE Engineering.
Squid X: The Gold Standard in Offshore Weather Routing
When sailing around the world, weather plays a pivotal role. It impacts every strategic decision, every change of course, and can be the deciding factor between success and failure. That’s why all skippers once again relied on Squid X, widely regarded as the most comprehensive weather analysis and routing software on the market.
Used for more than 15 years in the world’s most prestigious offshore races, Squid X enabled sailors to:
- download up-to-date weather models,
- access real-time observational data,
- anticipate upcoming weather systems,
- and develop routing strategies based on evolving conditions.
For this 2024 edition, 100% of the IMOCA fleet was equipped with Squid X, and 70% of skippers subscribed to the advanced service, unlocking access to premium features.
Custom Innovations Developed with D-ICE
In preparation for the race, the D-ICE Engineering team worked closely with several sailing teams to enhance Squid X with tailor-made features aligned with the unique demands of the Vendée Globe:
- Two global high-precision, high-resolution weather models, offering refined analysis of complex phenomena;
- A model reliability evaluation module, developed in collaboration with Actimar, to help validate weather choices;
- A historical routing tool, enabling skippers to simulate and compare route scenarios based on data from previous editions.
These enhancements gave the sailors greater foresight when navigating difficult zones, whether facing the ferocious storms of the Southern Ocean or the light winds predicted at the start.
One Race, Three Capes, Relentless Weather
The fleet of 40 IMOCA yachts left the docks of Les Sables-d’Olonne for a journey of over 80 days around the globe, sailing past the three major capes: Good Hope, Leeuwin, and Horn. Along the way, the skippers had to deal with extreme weather conditions, from deep low-pressure systems and volatile weather patterns to extended stretches of equatorial calm.
In such a context, forecast accuracy and reliability were more crucial than ever. With Squid X and D-ICE’s advanced data, the skippers were able to adapt their strategies in real time, optimize their routes, and ensure safety throughout the race.
A Collective Achievement Serving the Sailors
Behind every weather-based decision lies a collaborative effort of innovation and expertise. Once again, D-ICE Engineering and Great Circle successfully placed technology at the service of performance and safety at sea.
The 2024 Vendée Globe reaffirmed a now well-established trend in offshore racing: weather routing and analysis are no longer just tools—they are essential allies in achieving extraordinary feats at sea.
