Charlie Dalin Wins Vendée Globe

On January 15, solo sailor Charlie Dalin at the helm of MACIF Santé Prévoyance crossed the finish line for the 2024 Vendée Globe around the world sailboat race, shaving more than five days off the predicted time.

Race winner Charlie Dalin celebrates his win basking in the morning sun. Photo by Jean-Louis Carll/Alea. Courtesy of VendCharlie Dalin Wins Vendée Globe. Globe

“I am the happiest man in the world,” he said 20 minutes after claiming victory. “I have never experienced such emotion, never experienced that in my entire life. It is the most beautiful finish line of my career with this daylight breaking through.”

He arrived at the finish in Las Sables-d’Olonne, France, on January 14 at 8:24:49 a.m. local time, finishing with a time of 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes, 49 seconds, having covered 27,667.9 nautical miles.

 

Some 40 IMOCA Class 60 (59.05 feet long) sailing yachts with solo captains from eight countries at the helm left Las Sables-d’Olonne Nov. 10 for the 10th edition of the race. As of Jan. 17, six had dropped out with mechanical issues. After departing France, the fleet headed south along the east coast of South Africa past the Cape of Good Hope. They then sailed past Australia’s Cape Leeuwin, across the Pacific Ocean, around Cape Horn and up the Atlantic Ocean before returning to Las Sables-d’Olonne. Race conditions.

Describing the biggest challenges he faced in the two-month challenge, Dalin said, “The descent into the South Atlantic was crazy, the Southern Ocean in 23 days, the ascent of the Atlantic was incredible — I feel like it was 48 hours ago.”

Heading into the race, the idea of finishing in less than 70 days, but 64 was an unexpected other level. “It’s crazy,” said Dalin. “We achieved some pretty fabulous averages. We certainly made a gap with these boats and it’s really enjoyable to play with the systems.”

Calling it “magical,” he said his favorite moment was the descent of the Atlantic. “Other moments left their mark on me, such as rounding Cape Horn during the day or managing the big depression in the Indian Ocean,” he said. “Even if it was exhausting, it was fascinating. The battle with Yoann in the Pacific and the Atlantic was incredible.”

Yoann is second-place finished Yoann Richomme who was at the helm of Paprec Arkéa. He crossed the line 65 days, 18 hours, and 10 minutes after starting the race. He came in 22 hours, 47 minutes behind Dalin. A key part of the race for Richomme was his strategy in the Indian Ocean, sailing around some challenging weather. It cost him dearly, and Richomme had to set a “hellish pace” to make up the time in the Great South.” He was rewarded when he crossed Cape Horn with a 9:30 lead over Dalin.

The two boats proceeded to battle for top honors. Richomme got caught up in unpredictable conditions of a cold front at Cape Frio while Dalin pulled ahead. Reflecting, Richomme said, “There is the incredible emotion of having completed an around-the-world race. I had really dreamed of it and I did it. I sailed like I do in the small races without changing anything in my way of doing things.”

Richomme acknowledged Dalin’s experience in IMOCA class racing. “For my part, I feel great pride in having led a team that started from scratch, three years ago, to a second place in the Vendée Globe.”

Third in the race went to Sébastien Simon aboard Groupe Dubreuil. A highlight for him was covering 615.33 miles in 24 hours. He also overcome breaking his starboard foil in the Indian Ocean four years after having to retire in his previous attempt.

“The welcome was extraordinary, despite the freezing cold,” he said after finishing. “The moment was incredible, and I will keep unforgettable memories of it.” Speaking for everyone who finished behind Dalin, Simon added, “My ultimate remains to win the race.”

For full results of the 2024 Vendée Globe, click here.

By Eric Colby