Call him King Charles: legendary Dalin, wins Vendée Globe in 64 days and 19 hours

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Macif arriving at the finish line of the Vendée Globe

He thought about it for four years probably Charlie Dalin on that 2020 Vendée Globe podium, on that finish where being first across the line was not enough to be elected winner, a title that a mocking calculation by the Jury took away from him. This time, however, the only time that needs to be kept in mind is the 64 days 19 hours 22 minutes 49 seconds with which Charlie Dalin crumbled every record, circumnavigating the world under sail, solo and nonstop, as no one had ever done before. He sailed 27,667 actual miles, averaging 17.79 knots.

Charlie Dalin after the finish line
Charlie Dalin after the finish line

Don’t call him eternal second anymore, because Charlie Dalin with his Imoca Macif as of today is the King, King Charles, and like the legendary Charles Martel has claimed his right to the throne. Author of a perfect race, spent most of the time in the lead, defusing even a rival as well prepared and tough as Yoann Richomme, who will finish in second place, also under Armel Le Cleac’h’s record. Simply though, Dalin was better: better at choosing the winning design, better at strategy and particularly in the infamous Kerguelen Islands depression, when he decided to take a risk by launching in front of a monstrous weather system and proving that today Imoca foilers can hold over 20 knots on average in front of a 50-knot wind disturbance. Yoann Richomme may have lost it at that Vendée Globe, because although he then recovered and took the lead at Cape Horn, it was suspected that the narrow lead he had over Dalin in the Atlantic upwind would evaporate. In the medium wind in fact Macif proved to be simply by far the fastest boat in the fleet, and part of the victory, other than with the Kerguelen move, Dalin built it up in the descent and ascent of the Atlantic.

Who is Charlie Dalin

Dalin’s exultation

Born May 10, 1984, in Le Havre, he began sailing in Optimist at age 6, despite the fact that sailing is not part of his family. He discovered racing late, only around age 15, when he began participating in his first ones in 420. Shortly before the age of 20 he also began to get into offshore sailing, which is a religion in France, and the natural first step was to start sailing in Mini 650s where he began to pick up his first victories. He wins twice in the Transgascogne, first in doubles and then solo, then finishes second in the 2008 Mini Transat. His talent earned him entry into the pôle Finistère Course au Large de Port-la-Forêt, where all the greats like Michel Desjoyeaux grew up. In the meantime he found time to do something fundamental to his career, becoming a naval architect with a degree from Solent University in Southampton. A crucial point in his sailing career, because it will allow him to bring his vision to bear on the future Imoca 60s with which he will sail. He takes his first steps as a naval architect working as a designer in the Ericsson Racing and Oman Air teams From then on the podiums follow, with the transition to the Figaro class, he gets two second places and three thirds at the Solent. With these podiums the legend of the eternal Dalin second was born somewhat, a name he would carry with him even in the Imoca class despite the fact that his talent was absolutely undisputed. The transition to the Imoca class began in 2015 under mentor Yann Elies, in 2018 Apriva bets on him and gives him a new boat, with which he will be first over the finish line of the 2020 Vendée Globe, a victory that the Jury gives, however, to Yannick Bestaven in light of the time bonuses calculated for the rescue of Kevin Escoffier. From there began the chase for this Vendée Globe, with Macif having already supported him on the Figaro, backed by Mer Concept, François Gabart’s stable, to close the circle of history, to shake off the name of eternal second. He did it in a big way, exaggerating, dominating, making the world look small. Congratulations King Charles.

Il Giornale della Vela will celebrate the winner’s arrival with a double feature of The Vendèe Globe Trial live on Il Giornale della Vela’s YouTube channel. Today, between 11.30 and 12 noon, Mauro Giuffrè and Luca Sordelli will do a live flash with the very first images of Charlie Dalin’s arrival and the first hot comments. Then tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. we will go live with the grand finale: a live special where we will sum up these two months of racing, Dalin’s victory and the state of the art of ocean sailing. We will be visited by many guests, practically everyone who has been with us during these two months of Ocean-themed broadcasts. Don’t miss it!

Mauro Giuffrè

Follow the Vendèe Globe with the Sailing Newspaper! In the section “The Vendèe Globe Newspaper” you will find all the latest news about the race, while on our Youtube channel, every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., “The Vendèe Globe Trial” (in collaboration with Raymarine, Antal and Gottifredi&Maffioli) goes live, where our experts, along with a parterre de roi of great sailing guests, comment on the great adventure of the solo round-the-world race.

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