Armel Le Cléac'h, former record holder, “happy that it is Charlie Dalin who takes control of this record”

Now, it's “another race that will begin” for the winner, explains the former solo round-the-world record holder.

“I am happy that it is Charlie Dalin who takes control of this record”, welcomes Armel Le Cléac'h, former Vendée Globe record holder, on “ici Loire Océan” Tuesday January 14. The Frenchman Charlie Dalin (Macif) won the 10th Vendée Globe in Les Sables-d'Olonne, establishing the new reference time for the solo round-the-world race, in 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 49 seconds. .

“I’m delighted that this record has been broken, especially by Charlie, because he’s someone I know well,” declares Armel Le Cléac'h, who held the previous Vendée Globe record of 74 days. Charlie Dalin therefore returned to the Sablai channel in ten days less. “It’s huge,” notes the former record holder. But according to him, “it’s in the logic of things”thanks in particular to “boats which have progressed enormously in eight years”. Armel Le Cléac'h adds that “the weather was also favorable for the two leaders”Charlie Dalin followed by Yoann Richomme, “It was an alignment of planets to ensure that this record was broken and largely beaten.”

After several dozen days alone at sea, Armel Le Cléac'h explains that the arrival, with thousands of spectators, “It’s brutal.” “It’s a transition that is strong in the face of a solitude that we get used to.” The browser has “his routine on board the boat, tossed in all directions like in a washing machine, with a few short naps to sleep, meals which are not always necessarily as good as on land”. And, all of a sudden, “you return to life on land where you have become a hero of the seas”details Armel Le Cléac’h. “It’s going to be another race for Charlie Dalin that will finally begin, a lot of requests to come. In the coming days, he will be in high demand,” he concludes.