Due to the tides, the skipper had to wait several hours before joining the dense crowds waiting for him from midday on either side of the channel.
Fireworks and blue, white and red smoke were set off when the skipper set off to meet the crowd. His technical team was in charge to allow Charlie Dalin to enjoy the show, alongside his partner and his son.
The skipper then walked onto the deck of his sailboat, red distress flares in hand as smoke bombs.
On the quayside or on the balconies of buildings, the delirious spectators waved numerous flags in the colors of their sponsor as well as banners reading “bravo Charlie”.
Emotions
The 40-year-old Frenchman, in the lead for a large majority of the course, crossed the line with his arms raised, relieved, at 8:24 a.m. (GMT+1), after 64 days 19 hours 22 minutes and 49 seconds at sea, a new reference time of the test.
Seized by emotion and fatigue, he then collapsed for a few seconds on the deck of his sailboat Macif, before welcoming his technical team, his partner Perrine and his young son Oscar for joyful hugs.
“I have never experienced such emotions. With the daylight starting to break through, it was incredible. It’s the most beautiful finish line of my entire career”, said, delighted, to the organization this great perfectionist, usually reserved.
His first pursuer, the Varois Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa), with whom he has fought a fierce duel since the start on November 10, should follow in the evening. He was 106 miles from the finish at 11:00.
“It was an incredible match with him, it’s his first Vendée and it seems like he’s been doing this all his life. It’s thanks to him that we did this world tour in such a short time” , said Dalin after his victory.
– “I’ve been dreaming of it for 4 years” –
Along the way, Dalin set several navigation records. Aboard his latest generation foiling sailboat, ultra-fast and very versatile, he notably completed the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) – Cape Leeuwin (Australia) section in just 9 days and 22 hours.
And above all, the sailor established a new record in the event, beating by more than nine days that signed by Armel Le Cléac’h during the 2016/2017 edition in 74 days 3 hours 35 minutes.
“Charlie Dalin enters the legend of the Vendée Globe by triumphing over the oceans in record time: less than 65 days! A hymn to audacity and human greatness”, congratulated him on the social network Republic Emmanuel Macron.
Despite fatigue and a perilous descent along the Breton coast during the night from Monday to Tuesday, the sailor made no mistake in seizing the Holy Grail of offshore racing, which he had coveted for four years and for which he had been deprived despite having crossed the finish line first.
At the time, Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ), who arrived later than Dalin, had obtained a time bonus for having participated in the rescue operations of Kevin Escoffier. Dalin had finally given in for less than three short hours.
“This 2024 Vendée Globe, I’ve been dreaming of it since the day after the 2021 Vendée Globe. We’ve been working hard with the team for four years. We lived for it and that’s it, we achieved the goal,” Dalin said before lighting his flares to celebrate his victory.
This time he is preparing to lift a well-deserved trophy.
Ranking for the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.:
1. Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) WINNER in 64 days 19 hours 22 minutes and 49 seconds
2. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) 106 nautical miles from the finish
3. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) 783.77 minutes from the finish
4. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) at 2,794.56 mins
5. Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) at 2,802.72 mins
6. Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) at 2,811.08 mins
7. Nicolas Lunven (Holcim – PRB) at 2,941.98 mins
8. Justine Mettraux (Teamwork-Team Snef) at 3,064.01 mins
9. Thomas Ruyant (Charal) at 3,082.38 mins
10. Boris Herrmann (Malizia – Seaexplorer) at 3,137.57 nm
…
Abandons:
. Eric Bellion (Stand as on – Altavia)
. Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ V)
. Pip Hare (Medallia)
. Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe)
. Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée)
. Maxime Sorel (V and B – Monbana – Mayenne)
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