Sailing Dalin actually first this time

SDA

14.1.2025 - 11:10

Charlie Dalin crosses the finish line of the Vendée Globe off Les Sables-d'Olonne in first place for the second time since 2021. This time he is actually the winner.

Keystone-SDA

Four years ago, the Frenchman had been relegated to second place. Instead, his compatriot Yannick Bestaven emerged triumphant because he had received a time credit for taking part in the search for capsized sailor Kevin Escoffier. Dalin was two and a half hours behind at the time.

The defeat in 2021 bothered the 40-year-old for a long time. He often wondered where he might have lost the crucial minutes. Yoann Richomme, his toughest opponent at this year's event, had already recognized Dalin as the winner a few days ago: "The scenario of the last Vendée Globe was unfair for Charlie, he deserves this victory."

Now Dalin, who comes from a family of landlubbers, as he says himself, has done it: victory and record with 64 days, 19 hours and just under 23 minutes. Technological developments have made it possible: at the first event 35 years ago, the winner only returned to land after 109 days.

"I have never experienced such emotions. It was amazing, that finish line with the daylight slowly breaking through. I had never experienced that before in my life, it was incredible. It was by far the most beautiful finish line of my career," Dalin told the organizers while still at sea on Tuesday morning.

"I've been dreaming of this Vendée Globe 2024 since the day after the Vendée Globe 2021. I've been fighting with the team for four years, we've worked hard, we've given everything to build this great boat. We live for it and now the time has come, we have achieved the goal."