Solo skipper Charlie Dalin is set for record breaking Vend\u00e9e Globe victory, due to finish in the early hours of Tuesday, January 15, 2025The winner of the 2024-25 Vend\u00e9e Globe will be crowned early tomorrow, Tuesday January 15, and it looks set to be Charlie Dalin on Macif Sant\u00e9 Pr\u00e9voyance.
\nDalin, who has led since December 30, is now just over 110 miles from the finish in Les Sables d\u2019Olonne, and current predictions are he will arrive between 0430-0830hrs (UTC) on Tuesday.
\nBarring some unforeseen disaster Charlie Dalin is poised to achieve a remarkable double.
\nPoised for victory\u2026 Charlie Dalin off the coast of Brittany today ahead of the Vend\u00e9e Globe finish tomorrow.
\nHe will be the first skipper ever to cross the finish line first in two consecutive races (Michel Desjoyeaux is the only sailor in history to have won the Vend\u00e9e Globe twice, in the 2000 and 2008 races) \u2013 though this will be his first race victory, having finished 2nd to Yannick Bestaven on redress in 2021.
\nAnd he is likely to also demolish the course record, set in 2016 by Armel le Cleac\u2019h at 74d 03h 36m. Dalin, and his second placed rival Yoann Richomme, both look set to complete the course in close to 65 days.
\nVend\u00e9e Globe final miles
\nSpeaking to race organisers earlier today, Dalin said: \u201cThere will be some upwind to finish in some very cold temperatures, maybe the coldest night of the entire race, and it is going to be a flat sea.
\n\u201cSo that is my final picture, the boat skimming nicely upwind, sometimes foiling, close to the coast, that is how I picture it.\u201d
\nFading easterly winds along the French western coast have resulted in both Dalin and Richomme opting to approach to the north of Les Sables d\u2019Olonne, sailing within sight of land off Penmarch, before cautiously heading south close to shore on a complex end to the final Atlantic stage.
\nThe complex final approach to Les Sables d\u2019Olonne for the leaders to the finish of the 2024\/25 Vend\u00e9e Globe
\nDalin explained: \u201cWe are sailing so close to my training waters, where I have been so many times with the boat, and I will sail probably close to the home base which for me is a nice symbol, to be sailing close to Finist\u00e8re where the boat is based and the boat was built.\u201d
\nThough these waters are well known to the IMOCA skippers, many have trained on them relentlessly during their days in the Figaro class, they bring their own challenges for tired and stressed sailors, with complex tides, rocks, and fishing activity.
\nIn the last race German skipper Boris Herrmann collided with another vessel in the final miles of the race, and in 2008 Alex Thomson\u2019s Hugo Boss was dismasted after a collision with a fishing vessel outside Les Sables before the Vend\u00e9e start. Hence neither Dalin or Richomme, not their teams, will celebrate until their boats are finally approaching the sands of Les Sables d\u2019Olonne safely.
\nVend\u00e9e rookie for 2nd
\nRichomme\u2019s Paprec Ark\u00e9a is yet to lose the breeze, and has closed his deficit to Dalin to less than 100 miles \u2013 an astonishing achievement in his first Vend\u00e9e Globe.
\nRichomme has duelled with Dalin throughout this Vend\u00e9e Globe, the pair exchanging the lead since mid-December. But their history goes much further back, racing against one another at the front of the Figaro fleet for many years (Dalin on the podium five times, Richomme winning it twice).
\nYoann Richomme is taking part in his first Vend\u00e9e Globe on Paprec Ark\u00e9a. Photo: Yoann Richomme\/Paprec Ark\u00e9a\/VG2024
\nSpeaking to the IMOCA class a few days ago, Richomme was magnanimous, saying of Dalin. \u201cI would be happy for him if he won it.\u201d
\n\u201cI think he deserves it. I think the scenario of the last Vend\u00e9e Globe (was unfair) on him and he deserves the win. If he does manage to win it, I will be happy for him, but I\u2019m not going to offer it to him.\u201d
\nYachting World is in Les Sables d\u2019Olonne for the finish, so watch our social media feed for live updates.
\nThe post Charlie Dalin set for record breaking Vend\u00e9e Globe victory appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Solo skipper Charlie Dalin is set for record breaking Vend\u00e9e Globe victory, due to finish in the early hours of Tuesday, January 15, 2025The winner of the 2024-25 Vend\u00e9e Globe will be crowned early tomorrow, Tuesday January 15, and it … <\/p>\n