It took Charlie Dalin’s nerve to cover these last miles and maneuver in the bitter cold of winter during the long descent from the tip of Brittany to Les Sables d’Olonne. Its proximity to the coast made it possible to send a few postcards yesterday: a lightning passage on a flat sea at the tip of Penmarc’h, immortalized from the air at the beginning of the afternoon, and a shy smile off the coast. Glénan archipelago.
On land, the full moon lights up the night. There are lifelong loved ones, team members, traveling companions, partners who have come in large numbers, journalists… Everyone is watching for ETAs, resisting the cold and patiently waiting for the arrival of MACIF Santé Prévoyance. Deliverance is a matter of patience. We rush quietly into the village of Les Sables d’Olonne, we equip ourselves to hold on, we watch the time slip by. Voices are heard, the coffees are held one after the other and, even if a festive spirit is already palpable, everyone is saving up before the big moment.
The first boats set off to meet the winner at 6 a.m. Two hours later, live images begin. Charlie appears bundled up, MACIF Santé Prévoyance is gliding on a flat sea. It can be seen under the orange hues of the first light of day, surrounded by dozens of follower boats shining on the body of water. The images are breathtaking, the moment seems suspended and the information falls: at 8:24 a.m., Charlie crossed the finish line. After 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 49 seconds, he officially becomes the winner of this 10th edition of the Vendée Globe.
-The Norman can finally let go of the listening, welcome his close circle on board and give way to emotion. It will take time to achieve the feat achieved, to measure everything that the statistics say. Charlie Dalin offers the best performance in history in the Vendée Globe, relegating the previous record by more than 9 days and 8 hours. At the same time, he bagged three records (equator – Cape Good Hope, Cape Good Hope – Cape Leeuwin, equator – Les Sables d’Olonne). The new winner will have time to savor: he will have to wait until the beginning of the afternoon to benefit from the tide and go up the channel as the winner.
A long day of celebration and celebration awaits the man who is now the fastest man in the history of the Vendée Globe.
