It was 5:30 a.m. this Tuesday, January 14, 2025. The full moon dominated the sky above Les Sables-d’Olonne (Vendée), an icy cold surrounded the Olona port. The moment chosen by two hundred Macif employees to board. In a few minutes, they would go to meet Charlie Dalin and the boat that carries their colors, expected to be winners of the tenth edition of the Vendée Globe.
“We sailed for a good hour to reach Charlie, it was already magical”
“It’s a historic day, which started very early, but it was already a party, confirmed Jean-Marc Simon, Director of Health and Personal Protection at Macif. We sailed for a good hour to reach Charlie, it was already magical to see this sail appear in the dawn. It was a lot of emotions. »
At 8:25 a.m., the Le Havre skipper raised his arms to the sky. Four years after a frustrating second place, this time he put his name on the list of winners of this round-the-world sailing trip, solo, without stopovers and without assistance. Macif employees could then shout, wave flags and portraits of Charlie Dalin. In total, there were between 300 and 400 present in Vendée.
“It’s a magical day”
Didier was one of them. “It was magical. The scenario was ideal, with the sun rising, he confirmed. Charlie had a magical race, he was in the lead almost throughout the race. There was real emulation among Macif employees this morning. It’s a magical and historic day for Macif. » And Jean-Marc Simon added: “We were like children, faced with a dream coming true. The record also adds beauty to the victory. It’s a recognition. »
Throughout this day when Charlie Dalin “wrote a new page in the history of Macif, a page of which we are all very proud, and which we will not forget”indicated Jean Philippe Dogneton, general director of Macif. The Niortais group reserved a series of surprises for its champion with the objective “to set fire to the channel” : floating discotheque, fan zone, balconies in the colors of Charlie and his sailboat, a giant heart 5 m high, smoke bombs, guard of honor, drone air show at nightfall…
Macif: three participations, three podiums, two titles
Living up to the feat achieved by the Le Havre skipper, winner and now record holder for the event in 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 49 seconds. “ What pride today, well done Charlie and thank you! This performance is incredible. Charlie makes ocean racing history. The colors of Macif and its health and safety activity shine this morning in the Sables-d’Olonne channel, added Jean-Philippe Dogneton. This race is as solitary as it is collective. »
Macif put in a great performance. In three participations, the Niortaise mutual won two editions (Gabart and therefore Dalin), and took second place (Dalin). The party promised to be beautiful, until the end of the sandy night.
