Jean-Luc Van Den Heede

Jean-Luc Van Den Heede needs no introduction. He is a living legend here in Les Sables d’Olonne and the rest of the world. He is the current world record holder for a west-about circumnavigation and holds the record of sailing around Cape Horn 12 times, 6 times solo Eastabout, 4 times solo Westabout, once as part of a 2-man delivery crew, and once during a cruise to wish the lighthouse keeper and his family a happy new year on 1st January 2014!

Jean-Luc’s record includes

2nd of the1986 BOC Challenge on Let’s Go
3rd of the 1990 Vendée Globe on 3615 MET
2nd of the1993 Vendée Globe on Sofap Helvim
4th of the 1993 Transat Jacques Vabre
3rd of the 1995 BOC Challenge on Vendée Enterprises
Record westabout circumnavigation in 122d 14h 3min 49s set in 2004
Winner of the 2018 Golden Globe Race on Matmut
Jean-Luc was awarded the CCA Blue Water Medal in 2019 and has also been presented with the Chevalier de le Légion d’Honour, and officier du Mérite Maritime.
The Scroll of Honour and glass award was presented to Jean-Luc Van Den Heede at the Hall of Fame ceremony.

wikipedia link – Jean Luc Van Den Hedde