Charlie Dalin finishes first in Vendee Globe race after 80 days sailing around the world
The Frenchman is first across the line in one of the round-the-world race’s closest-ever finishes, that will be decided by time bonuses.
Sailing
Charlie Dalin has crossed the line first, in what is one of the tightest Vendee Globe sailing race finishes ever.
The Frenchman, onboard Apivia, arrived at the Les Sables d’Olonne finish line ahead of compatriot Louis Burton on Wednesday (27th January).
Boris Herrmann, who is hoping to become the mammoth race’s first German winner, is in third.
Herrmann and Yannick Bestaven could still win the round-the-world event down the field, as both skippers are due a six-hour bonus for their part in Keving Escoffier’s rescue in December.
The ninth edition of the non-stop race began on 8th November 2020, with the solo skippers covering almost 29,000 nautical miles unaided.
But it was far from plain sailing in the maritime odyssey, where eight skippers did not finish.
Three days in, pre-event favourite Jeremie Beyou was forced to return 600 nautical miles to the start after colliding with a floating object and damaging his rudder.
On day 22, Kevin Escoffier was forced to abandon his yacht, after a huge wave off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa broke his hull in two.
The Frenchman spent 11 freezing hours in a life raft before being rescued by compatriot and fellow competitor Jean Le Cam.
After suffering numerous sail problems, Burton recovered more than 800 nautical miles on Dalin after having to repair on the remote Macquarie island.
Watch the sailors arrive to the finish line at Les Sables d'Olonne in Brittany, northern France live on Olympic Channel for free and without subscription, here (territorial restrictions apply in some countries).