In a memorable triumph, French skipper Charlie Dalin scored a resounding victory today in the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe, the legendary solo race around the world, thus definitively turning the page on his disillusionments of four years ago.
Indeed, Charlie Dalin crossed the finish line first, but entered Vendée Globe history as the first skipper demoted to second place in the general classification after correction of times.
This time, his determination to get his revenge was palpable to those who know him. Starting as the big favorite, he held his position brilliantly, taking control of the race halfway down the Atlantic.
Modest and reluctant to make grand declarations, the 40-year-old skipper from Le Havre rarely lets his emotions show. But today, the relief and joy were clearly visible when his IMOCA, MACIF Santé Prévoyance, crossed the finish line off the coast of Les Sables d’Olonne, setting a new record of 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 49 seconds.
“I have never experienced such emotions, it was an incredible moment”he declares. “This is by far the most beautiful finish line of my entire career. Today, I am the happiest in the world. »
He then talks about the progress made since the last edition, which saw Charlie Dalin and his team design a new IMOCA with foils, designed by Guillaume Verdier, and demonstrate the potential of this machine through a series of victories.
“I have been dreaming of this 2024 Vendée Globe since the day after the arrival of the 2020 Vendée Globe. We worked hard with the team for four years, we gave everything to build this great boat and develop it. Everyone gave their all and we achieved the goal. »he declares.
Charlie Dalin is already thinking about his race and how quickly it seemed to have gone by. “I feel like I did a 48-hour race, it was so intense and fast. »he jokes. “It’s hard to believe it’s already over. I had a few problems, but really not much, because I have the best in the world on my team! I really had a jewel in my hands for this world tour. »
Throughout this Vendée Globe, Charlie Dalin fought with his two French rivals, Sébastien Simon, who is on track to finish third aboard Groupe Dubreuil, and his old rival Yoann Richomme, with whom he had a real “match”. -race” since the passage from New Zealand. Yoann Richomme, on Paprec Arkéa, was around 150 nautical miles from the finish when Charlie Dalin crossed the line and should arrive tomorrow morning.
Charlie Dalin did not fail to congratulate him. “It was an incredible match with Yoann”he declares. “Hats off to him, it was his first Vendée Globe and yet it seems like he’s been doing this all his life. He had an exceptional race, attacking like crazy in the South Seas. It’s thanks to him that we traveled around the world in such a short time. He pushed me to always bring back canvas, reefs, adjust the boat as best as possible, look for the systems. It was this duel that allowed us to break the record. »
Charlie Dalin is now the fastest solo IMOCA sailor to have circumnavigated the world non-stop. He not only beat the old record of 74 days set by Armel Le Cléac’h in the 2016-17 Vendée Globe, he did so with an incredible lead of nine days and eight hours. This feat underlines how brilliantly Dalin and Richomme sailed, and demonstrates the power of the latest IMOCA foils, much more efficient than in the last edition of the race.
True to its reputation, it made a solid start from Les Sables d’Olonne, holding its position until off Cape Finisterre. But the North Atlantic is proving capricious with weak winds.
The first decisive turning point arrives off the Brazilian coast. Charlie Dalin, at the helm of MACIF Santé Prévoyance, exploits a low pressure system to regain the lead of the fleet in the South Atlantic, heading in a straight line towards the Cape of Good Hope. The pace he imposes is merciless. Little by little, its closest competitors are losing ground.
As the skippers enter the Southern Ocean, a trio stands out: Dalin, Richomme and Simon, each fighting a fierce battle to take control. But for Dalin, this frantic pace was only the prelude to almost absolute control of the race.
The most significant turning point came when Charlie Dalin and Sébastien Simon chose to sail ahead of the depression in the heart of the Indian Ocean, while others – including Yoann Richomme – circumvented the system from the north. Charlie Dalin then takes the race firmly in hand.
Yoann Richomme attacks and catches up with his rival in the South Pacific until taking the lead of the fleet. But the skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance is not giving up, and is reestablishing his domination off the Brazilian coast. He will not give up his place until the finish line.
The winning sailor of The Ocean Race, Simon “SiFi” Fisher, who had helped the skipper with his weather preparations before the start of the race, admired his performance throughout the event.
“Charlie did an exceptional job”he declares. “He sailed very intelligently – he’s obviously a very talented sailor and, as a naval architect, you felt he was very connected to his boat. »
” In my opinion, he adds Fisherit was a combination of good tactics and strategy, good boat speed, and using both elements when needed. In these races you can easily get into a big dead end and push too hard, but I think Charlie knew really well when to step on the accelerator to widen his gap, and when to be a little more conservative. »
Ed Gorman (translated from English)
