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Benjamin Ferré on the Vendée Globe: "I have a certain serenity that comes from my innocence…"
Five years after the Mini-Transat, he has made it. Benjamin Ferré (SKEMA 2015) has achieved his wildest dream: the graduate from the Grande École programme will line up his yacht's bow at the start of the upcoming Vendée Globe on 10th November. A remarkable achievement for the thirty-something, who had absolutely no predisposition towards the world of offshore racing. Despite the ups and downs, he has carved out a place for himself. We sat down with an adventurer crafted by SKEMA Business School.
Benjamin, your dream is becoming a reality. You're about to compete in the 2024 Vendée Globe, the legendary race that every skipper dreams of doing at least once in their lifetime. How are you feeling?
After four years of hard work, we're approaching the final stretch. Now, the goal is to enjoy it, relax, and spend quality time with my family and friends, even though there's still a lot of technical work to be done on the boat in the weeks leading up to the race. I feel very confident and calm, with an excellent team around me. I take each day as it comes; my weeks are well-structured, and I follow a very organised routine.
How do you feel about boarding your boat? Are you anxious about facing the biggest race in the world?
I wouldn’t describe it as anxiety or fear, but more as a sense of anticipation about the unknown. I don’t really know what awaits me. But in some ways, that’s an advantage, because some skippers are already familiar with the harshness of this race. I’ve never done the Vendée Globe before, so I have a bit of that innocence on my side (laughs). The only thing I fear is having to abandon the race, facing an event that would prevent me from finishing.
You'll be sharing the starting line in Les Sables d'Olonne with none other than Jean Le Cam, your mentor. How does that make you feel?
I’m delighted to be starting alongside him. He has been such an important figure in this whole journey. It's thanks to him, in part, that I'm on this starting line and that I took on this adventure. To share this experience with him is fantastic! As long as we’re both racing, I think we’ll manage to have a good time. He’ll be leading the way, and I’ll just have to follow his path (laughs)! Our friendship is a great example of intergenerational exchange. This intergenerational aspect is central to my project. There has been so much learning and exchange on both sides.
At sea, skippers must contend with natural elements like the sea, contrary winds, breakdowns, and also their own exhaustion. How do you plan to manage that?
Managing physical fatigue is the toughest challenge. We sail on highly technical boats where manoeuvres are long and exhausting, and we don’t get much sleep. I’m a little apprehensive because I’ll have to cope with fatigue over three months, even though I’ve never done this before. But no matter what, I will sail as calmly as possible, without putting myself at risk. I’ll make sure to anticipate, follow safe routes, and have exit strategies in place, regardless of the circumstances. After all, it’s a marathon! You have to pace yourself to endure the long haul! I’ll start at my own pace.
Three months at sea is a long time. How will you cope with the solitude?
It’s a wonderful gift to give myself! At 30, it’s a luxury to spend three months alone on a boat. I certainly don’t want to waste this opportunity. The solitude of the sailor has never really been a hardship for me because I know it’s temporary, it’s time-bound, and above all, it’s a choice. Let’s not forget, we’re also followed by tens of thousands of people! You mostly feel the solitude in tough moments or during moments of grace, when you wish you could have shared it with someone else.
Have you planned to bring any books with you for your Vendée Globe journey?
Yes, of course! I’m planning to take The Star Rover by Jack London, The World at the End of the World by Luis Sepúlveda, and The Hands of Miracle by Joseph Kessel—mostly adventure books!
Have you thought about life after the Vendée Globe?
I want to give myself the luxury of having nothing planned after the Vendée Globe. Over the past few years, I’ve moved from one thing to the next, and I really want to take a year to reflect and savour the moment. For the past four years, my life has been meticulously planned and organised. If I manage to complete the race, I will enjoy having no plans on the horizon.
Benjamin, your journey reflects many values that SKEMA embodies, such as boldness, excellence, and global openness. Do you have a message to share with the SKEMA community or students who have a dream?
Go for it, give it a try, no matter the field. I didn’t come from the world of offshore racing, and I never imagined I could be at the start of the Vendée Globe. That’s proof that anyone can end up anywhere, as long as there’s desire and temptation. You just need to give in to it! You need to try, meet people, and be curious enough to ask others about the paths they’ve taken. I think today the great advantage of business schools is the intellectual stimulation they provide, but one should never fear stepping off the beaten track. SKEMA provides that opportunity—the school equips you to adapt to any world. Just because you go to business school doesn’t mean your career path is set in stone. There are many different routes you can take.
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