Charlie Dalin is the winner of the tenth Vendée Globe. The Frenchman crossed the finish line in front of Les Sables d’Olonne on Tuesday morning – and significantly improved the previous record for a solo circumnavigation.
In the end it dragged on, and at times Dalin was only making progress at nine knots. But that didn’t change the Frenchman’s triumph in a new record time. In bright early morning sunshine, he crossed the finish line at 8:24 a.m.
The 40-year-old was at sea with his Imoca yacht Macif for exactly 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 49 seconds and was therefore significantly faster than Armel Le Cléac’h, who set the previous record in the 2016/17 edition (74 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes and 46 seconds) at the Vendée Globe. Thousands of spectators cheered the winner on the bank. He was accompanied by dozens of boats for the last few kilometers.
“I am the happiest person in the world today!”
— Vendée winner Charlie Dalin
However, due to the tide, the winner cannot enter the harbor until around 1:30 p.m. Tens of thousands will celebrate Dalin on land and create very special moments.
“It was impressive to cross the finish line with the rising sun and in the beautiful light. It’s simply brilliant,” said Dalin happily: “It’s unique to win a Vendée Globe.”
One Masterpiece from the beginning
Dalin dominated the circumnavigation, was in the lead almost from the start and made a risky choice of course in very difficult conditions in the Southern Ocean, which paid off completely and will probably be celebrated as a navigational masterpiece for a long time to come.
“He really didn’t show any weakness on the outside, not even towards his opponents. That’s something very special.”
— NDR sailing expert Tim Kröger
“It’s absolutely gigantic,” says NDR sailing expert Tim Kröger. “He didn’t just break the Vendée Globe record. He really didn’t show any weakness on the outside, not even towards his opponents. That’s something very special.” Kröger was particularly impressed by the Frenchman’s meticulousness and preparation: “He implemented it tip-top.”
Already second four years ago
However, Dalin’s success is by no means surprising. He had already crossed the finish line first at the Vendée Globe four years ago, but in the end he came “only” second, two and a half hours behind, because Yannick Bestaven had received time credit from the organizers due to a rescue operation and so narrowly left Dalin behind.
Dalin then distinguished himself with further successes. In 2022 he won the Vendée Arctique and a year later the Fastnet Race. In preparation for his second Vendée Globe, he won both the New York Vendée in June and Le Défi Azimut in September in 2024, the last major test before the circumnavigation. Now came the coronation as winner of the Vendée Globe.
Richomme and Simon on course for the podium
Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkea) will probably finish second later in the day. His arrival is expected in the late afternoon or evening. In third place, Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) sails with a big lead over his pursuers.
For him, a place on the podium would be a very special success. He comes from Les Sables d’Olonne and followed the Vendée Globe intensively as a child.
Herrmann will be on the road for at least another week
The Hamburg skipper Boris Herrmann is currently in 10th place with his Malizia – Seaexplorer and still has more than 3,000 nautical miles to cover to the finish. He will probably only reach his goal in the course of next week.
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Sports club | 01/14/2025 | 07:45 am
