Charlie Dalin has won the 10th “Vendée Globe” and set a new record: 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes, and 49 seconds, beating the previous record set by Armel Le Cléac’h by an impressive 9 days. Le Cléac’h had completed this prestigious solo, non-stop, and unassisted round-the-world race in 74 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes, and 46 seconds.
Charlie Dalin, the winner of the Vendée Globe
Born in Le Havre on May 10, 1984, Charlie Dalin graduated from the University of Southampton with a degree in Naval Architecture. Reviewing the results of his races in both solo and crewed disciplines, it’s rare to find him finishing outside the top three. In fact, even in the previous 2020/2021 Vendée Globe edition, he finished second, right behind Frenchman Yannick Bestaven. During that race, Dalin covered the 45,000 kilometers (24,300 nautical miles) around the world in 80 days, 6 hours, 15 minutes, and 47 seconds, achieving the fastest time for that ninth edition. It may seem odd that Dalin only placed second despite having the best time, but this was because Yannick Bestaven, who crossed the finish line third at Les Sables d’Olonne, was awarded a 10-hour time bonus for participating in a rescue operation. Kevin Escoffier had been in distress approximately 840 nautical miles southwest of the Cape of Good Hope when Yannick Bestaven, sailing nearby, assisted his fellow countryman.
The absolute world record – set during the 8th edition of the Vendée Globe in 2016/17 by Frenchman Armel Le Cléac’h in 74 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes, and 46 seconds – has now been shattered by Charlie Dalin, who circumnavigated the globe in an incredible 64 days … hours … minutes, and … seconds. As skipper of IMOCA Macif Santé Prévoyance, Dalin was the favorite from the start, but his competitors didn’t make it easy. Fellow French sailors Yoann Richomme and Sébastien Simon kept close on his heels in a thrilling head-to-head battle, particularly with Richomme. Dalin even rounded Cape Horn leeward of Richomme’s IMOCA Paprec Arkéa. However, after crossing the equator, Dalin steadily increased his lead over Richomme and navigated the final stretch of the Atlantic with a level of confidence and ease that made it look like he was “playing at home.”
With this victory, Charlie Dalin triumphs over the 40 competitors, a number reduced to 34 after several withdrawals. Maxime Sorel, Louis Burton, Szabolcs Weöres, Pip Hare, Yannick Bestaven, and Eric Bellion were forced to withdraw from the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe due to technical issues. Yoann Richomme is expected to finish in second place in approximately 12 hours.
The only Italian in the race, Giancarlo Pedote from Florence, is currently in 20th place, 4,673 miles from the finish line.
