Charlie Dalin emerged victorious in the Vendée Globe, completing the race in 64 days, a new record. Following him were Yoann Richomme and Sébastien Simon. In Virtual Regatta, Gilles Boulard won among nearly 850,000 players, finishing in 75 days. The gap between virtual and real-life racing results from technological advancements and access to superior data for skippers. The game is evolving but risks alienating casual players, prompting plans for new modes to enhance engagement.
Charlie Dalin Claims Victory in the Vendée Globe
On January 14, Charlie Dalin triumphantly reached Les Sables-d’Olonne after an impressive 64 days at sea, securing his win in the Vendée Globe. Following his arrival, around twenty other skippers returned safely, while several others, including the youngest competitor, Violette Dorange, are still racing. But what transpired during this thrilling period on Virtual Regatta? This engaging game replicates the Vendée Globe, attracting hundreds of thousands of players who participated virtually. Did any of them outpace the real-life skippers?
Comparing Skippers and Virtual Players
In this remarkable race, both skippers and virtual players set sail from Les Sables-d’Olonne on the same day and time, embarking on a journey that would last several weeks. Charlie Dalin emerged as the first skipper to complete the race, clocking in at 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes, and 49 seconds, thereby setting a new Vendée Globe record. Following him were Yoann Richomme (65 days and 18 hours) and Sébastien Simon (67 days and 12 hours).
In the realm of Virtual Regatta, the champion of the race was Gilles Boulard, known as SkipperGilou, who climbed to the top of the leaderboard among nearly 850,000 players. However, he finished the race in 75 days, 14 hours, and 41 minutes, which is significantly ten days longer than the leading real-life skipper. He was closely followed by El_Double_Ve and CocoForMorgan-Decathlon. Notably, the existing record remains with Jean-Claude Goudon, aka Trigou26120, who completed the race in 68 days and 22 hours.
So why are Virtual Regatta players lagging behind their real-world counterparts? In recent years, actual skippers have made remarkable advancements that have allowed them to keep pace with virtual racers. This can be attributed to significant technological enhancements in Imoca boats, among other factors. Over time, Virtual Regatta has evolved into a more intricate simulation game, especially with the introduction of numerous new features in this edition of the Vendée Globe.
It’s important to note that players in the game don’t have access to the same advanced tools available to real-world sailors, who utilize top-notch weather data and routing algorithms. Additionally, skippers have been able to achieve speeds exceeding 29 knots, while virtual competitors max out around 22 to 23 knots, as referenced on the Vendée website.
The game operates on Imoca boats with polars that date back to 2016. Polars serve as graphical representations of a sailboat’s maximum performance. According to RMC, game developers rely on the data provided by teams regarding their polars, but teams are often reluctant to share crucial information to maintain a competitive edge. Technological superiority is a vital component in this sport.
Virtual Regatta’s publisher points out that “weak winds and prolonged periods of calm have hindered fleets, compelling players to adapt constantly.” This unpredictability meant that players needed to frequently modify their configurations and directions. In an interview with RMC, Thomas Gauthier, the general director of Virtual Regatta, noted that a significant gap formed between the leaders of the virtual and real races, as each entered different weather systems at different times—something that the real boats could not bridge. The current trend is somewhat reversed.
Regarding the issue of outdated polars, Gauthier clarified that they undergo annual reviews. Another critical aspect is sea agitation, which is not factored into the game but plays a significant role in determining boat speeds. As Gauthier explained to Le Parisien, this parameter is vital for realistic sailing simulations.
Virtual Regatta also grapples with accessibility. As the game becomes more complex, it risks alienating casual players. Striking a balance between being a public game that can attract over a million players and an elite game that demands constant engagement from dedicated players is a challenge. However, Gauthier assures passionate players that new game modes are on the horizon, including one tailored for experts. We look forward to exciting new races and the next Vendée Globe in 2028!