He undeniably has a Robocop side. More than a sailor, he is a competitor at heart who logically won at the end of the 2024-2025 edition of the Vendée Globe, the tenth of the name. By traveling the oceans in 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 49 seconds, Charlie Dalin swept away Armel Le Cléac’h’s previous record, dating from 2016-2017, (74 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes and 46 seconds ) and obtained the title which had eluded him in 2020-2021, due to time compensation granted to Yannick Bestaven for his participation in the rescue of shipwrecked skipper Kevin Escoffier.
This time, Le Havre actually crossed the finish line alone and in a leading position, without needing to look in his rearview mirror trembling.
An undeniable victory
“His experience of 2020-2021 was a difficult timerecognizes Jean-Marc Simon, general manager of Macif Santé Prévoyance, the skipper’s sponsor. But right away, he was extremely respectful of the rules and he didn’t have a bad state of mind. This is proof of great professionalism. »
His success this year took shape with the winds, from the first days when he showed his speed to quickly slip to the front. A leading position that he only ceded on fleeting occasions, notably to the benefit of the second in the race Yoann Richomme, expected a few hours after him at the finish line in Les Sables-d’Olonne.
“He was in control of his emotions and his actionsjudge Jean-Luc Nélias, his team manager. He told us two or three times that he was dead, exhausted… We know that that’s when stupid things can happen, so we tried to support him as best we could. » “Charlie will reveal less about his level of fatigue, as a strategy, but don’t believe it, he suffered like the others”insists the one who has been with him since 2021.
Full of control and efficient, the one who has the reputation of perfectly managing his sleep has been master of his destiny. A naval architect by training, professional sailor since 2011, he nevertheless started sailing by chance, during a vacation in Crozon (Finistère). “At the beginning there was a fascination with the sea and that transformed into a passion for sailing, he confided to Ocean Pressat the end of the previous edition of the Everest of the seas. A passion is never rational, I have a competitive side. I have a culture of sport. Exploiting the wind and the machine to go as fast as possible and find the fastest routes thrills me. »
A machine all by itself
“Charlie’s profile is quite extraordinarysavors Jean-Marc Simon. He’s a complete boy, with a well-shaped head. He is undeniably a great sailor, he understands that the exercise of his passion can only be done if he fully invests in his project. »
More comfortable in his personal video capsules that he sends on his social networks than in front of journalists, the young father likes competition and the open sea, more than he appreciates communication and media coverage. Many have hit the rocks, sometimes laconic in their words, in interviews. It is on the sea that he takes his pleasure, keeping in mind that adventure does not override performance. “When I enter a race, it’s to win it”he whispered during departure last November.
-Stan Thuret, a former sailor withdrawn from the circuits out of ecological conviction, even defines it as a ” pilot “more than a browser. “He is one of those skippers for whom records and speed take precedence over the rest”he explains. Far perhaps from the glamorous image of the traveling sailor.
“We talk about competitionnevertheless nuance Jean-Luc Nélias. He will inevitably experience an adventure and will have moments to enjoy the nature that surrounds him, but it’s true: winning takes precedence over everything else. It is somehow the reward that he seeks, in the face of the suffering and the sadomasochistic side of such a race. Charlie is a bit secretive, he’s a loner. He is not there to do contemplation. »
From now on, with this new objective fulfilled, which adds to an already rich track record, Charlie Dalin does not intend to rest on his laurels. Like any great champion, he turns his gaze to the next stage, postponing the time to take stock until later.
This is evidenced by his video launched on his Instagram account during his passage from the longitude of the Antilles, where he is already meeting the West Indians, for a new challenge. “So Martinique, see you soonhe promised. Starting this year, in November at the Café L’Or deckchair. And Guadeloupe, from the end of next year on the Route du Rhum. »
Never satisfied, will he still take the time to savor? “Everything passes, everything gets tired, except the ice creams’amuse Jean-Luc Nélias. But at 40 you live life, you let your testosterone speak… He’s all in, he gives a lot of himself and loves it! »
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