Jean-Luc Van Den Hede: The Man Who Walked Cape Horn 12 Times

An ordinary start to an extraordinary career

Among the many well-known and revered yachting legends, the name Jean-Luc Van Den Hede occupies a special place. His story began in 1962, when an unknown 17-year-old boy first stepped aboard a sailing yacht.

Source: vdh.fr

The young man was fascinated by the works of Joshua Slocum, Vito Dumas and Alain Jarbaud, which became his inspiration and the starting point for his main passion in life. At first, Jean-Luc participated in regattas and tournaments of sloops of the Simoun, Vaurien and Flibustier classes, demonstrating perseverance and talent.

However, the sea did not immediately become a central part of his life. For many years, he worked as a mathematics teacher in Lorient, Brittany, France. Jean-Luc skillfully combined work and participation in regattas, preparing for more serious achievements.

The key turning point in his life came in 1989, when he made what was probably one of the most important decisions of his life – to devote himself to yachting professionally. This step became the starting point for his numerous records and resounding victories, which brought him international recognition.

First among equals

Jean-Luc Van Den Hede has had many highlights in his yachting career, including participating in the first two Vendée Globe regattas. It was after the first Vendée Globe that he made the fateful decision to leave teaching and devote himself to yachting full-time. Like many other participants in this legendary race, Jean-Luc has actively participated in prestigious regattas such as the Mini Transat and the BOC Challenge.

Source: vdh.fr

Throughout his career, he not only consistently won, but also set world records that amazed the world. One of the most striking is the record for the fastest solo circumnavigation. Jean-Luc was able to surpass the achievement of his predecessor, Philippe Monnet, completing the route 29 days, 5 hours, 50 minutes and 47 seconds faster. This record remains unbroken and stands at 122 days, 14 hours, 3 minutes and 49 seconds.

Source: vdh.fr

Even at a respectable age, Jean-Luc continued to amaze. At 73, he won the Golden Globe Race, overcoming 11-meter waves and storm winds of up to 65 knots in the Indian Ocean. 

However, it was not just victories. On the Transat Jacques Vabre in 1993, he took only fourth place. His first attempt to break the world record for solo sailing ended in failure - on the 48th day, he was forced to stop due to problems with the yacht's hull. Failures followed him during his third attempt to set the record: Jean-Luc's yacht was wrecked south of Australia.

Cape Horn

However, most yachtsmen know Jean-Luc Van Den Hede for his absolutely unique record. He remains the only yachtsman in the world to have crossed the notoriously dangerous Cape Horn. 12 times.

So, in total, the yachtsman passed by Cape Horn:

• six times alone on the way to the east;
• four times alone on the way west;
• once as part of a team of two;
• once during a cruise in 2014.

This outstanding series of transitions earned Jean-Luc a special award - the first Pindar Cape Horners awardIt was presented personally by Andrew Pindar, a long-time sponsor of the yacht race, at the annual dinner of the International Cape Horn Racers Association.

Jean-Luc receives his well-deserved award from Andrew Pindar. Source: yachtingworld.com. Photo: Barry Pickthall/PPL.

During the award ceremony, Jean-Luc said: "I am surprised and very flattered. In France, some people think I am crazy, but I want to tell you that I am completely normal. I am a normal guy, a former math teacher, and I am very happy with my life, which I would never change for anything else."

In a nutshell about the International Cape Horn Association

The International Cape Horn Sailing Association (hereinafter referred to as the Association) was founded in 1936 by a group of French merchant captains. Its original purpose was to honour sailors who had rounded Cape Horn on merchant sailing vessels. Today, the traditions of the Association are continued by yachtsmen who have conquered this dangerous route.

Membership of the Association is open to persons of any nationality, provided that the candidate has passed Cape Horn under sail in a continuous passage of at least 3,000 nautical miles, without the use of engines.

The Association keeps careful records of all solo non-stop circumnavigations, circumnavigations with stops and voyages by multi-crews. Its members meet regularly at meetings, which are traditionally held at the Association's yacht club in Les Sables d'Olonne.

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28.11.2024