january 14: Charlie Dalin wins the Vendée Globe 2024 in record time
On January 14, 2025, Charlie Dalin crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe, setting a new record with a time of 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 49 seconds, surpassing by more than nine days the previous record held by Armel Le Cléac'h since 2016.
The 40-year-old skipper from Normandy led the race for 42 consecutive days, demonstrating exceptional mastery and consistency. This victory is particularly significant for Charlie Dalin, who finished second in the previous edition in 2021, despite having crossed the line first.
january 15: Yoann Richomme, second in the Vendée Globe 2024
On January 15, 2025, Yoann Richomme crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe, completing his first solo circumnavigation in 65 days, 18 hours and 10 minutes, 22 hours and 47 minutes after winner Charlie Dalin.
Aboard his Paprec Arkea, the skipper from the Var region demonstrated exceptional mastery throughout the race. From the very first days, he established himself as a formidable adversary, sailing with finesse and intelligence. A key strategic decision was his choice of course in the Indian Ocean. Whereas Charlie Dalin and Sébastien Simon opted for a direct route, crossing the heart of a massive low-pressure system, Yoann preferred to err on the side of caution, bypassing this dangerous system. This gamble, which he quickly regretted as he saw his rivals gain a significant lead, prompted him to redouble his efforts. In the Grand Sud, he adopted a hellish pace, lining up remarkable performances in demanding, relentless conditions. His tenacity was rewarded when he rounded the mythical Cape Horn in the lead, before ceding first place to Charlie Dalin on the way back up the Atlantic.
In the rest of the fleet, Oliver Heer (Tut Gut, 29th) has finally rounded Cape Horn and is now 200 miles ahead of his pursuers, Antoine Cornic (Human Immobilier, 35th) and Jingkun Xu (Singchain Team Haikou, 36th) ). Technical problems continue to bother some of the sailors, such as Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur - Duo For a Job, 16th) who had to go upwind following sail damage, or Romain Attanasio (Fortinet-Best Western, 14th) , who has finally solved his hook problem. The Eastern option trio, formed by Damien Seguin (Groupe Apicil, 15th), Jean Le Cam (Tout Commence en Finistère âeuros Armor-Lux, 21st) and Alan Roura (Hublot, 17th), are facing the worst of the weather. Tanguy Le Turquais (Lazare, 18th) is back in the game, choosing a westerly option.
Clarisse Crémer (L'Occitane en Provence, 12th) continues to battle it out with Benjamin Dutreux (Guyot Environnement âeuros Water Family, 13th) and Samantha Davies (Initiatives-CÅur, 14th), while Paul Meilhat (Biotherm, 6th) saw his race put on hold when his forestay broke. While he was battling with Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable, 5th) and Jérémie Beyou (Charal, 4th) for the ranking, he now just hopes to get his boat back to Les Sables d'Olonne without dismasting. Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB, 7th), is now less than 100 miles behind the Biotherm skipper.
january 16, 2025: Strategic duel, serial damage and historic podium in sight
The last skippers in the Pacific are progressing at their own pace. Jingkun Xu (Singchain Team Haikou, 31?) and Antoine Cornic (Human Immobilier, 30?) have rounded Cape Horn. In contrast, Denis Van Weynbergh (D'Ieteren Group, 34?) remains 1,700 miles from Cape Horn. Off Brazil, supporters of the coastal option and those of the offshore west are engaged in a strategic duel. Isabelle Joschke (MACSF, 15?), despite her missing foil, takes the lead at the head of the chasing group. By contrast, Damien Seguin (18?) and his companions are struggling to make headway in unstable winds. In the leading pack, Sam Goodchild (5?) and Jérémie Beyou (4?) continue to battle for places of honor. But the approach to the Azores complicates plans: a threatening low-pressure system, with 50-60 knot winds and 8-9 meter waves, forces them to consider several strategies. Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) is sailing in degraded mode after breaking his forestay. Forced to sail under J3, he plans to climb the mast as soon as conditions are more favorable to carry out repairs.
Off the coast of Brittany, Sébastien Simon (3?), bundled up in his winter clothes, battles a high-pressure system to preserve his deserved podium. He's about to make history by becoming the first Sablais to stand on the podium of this legendary race.
At the same time, other skippers encountered technical difficulties. Boris Herrmann, aboard Malizia - Seaexplorer, suffered a collision with an unidentified object, severely damaging his port foil. Although the German skipper is unhurt, the incident is complicating his progress towards Les Sables-d'Olonne. Jean Le Cam had to deal with the breakage of his J2 forestay, while Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) had to repair his mainsail after breaking a batten.
january 17, 2025: Sébastien Simon, first Sablais on the Vendée Globe podium
At 01:27 on January 17, 2025, Sébastien Simon crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe, finishing in third place after 67 days, 12 hours and 25 minutes of racing. He thus became the first Vendée skipper to reach the podium of this legendary event.
His course was marked by remarkable performances, including a record of 615.33 miles covered in 24 hours between November 26 and 27. However, he also had to overcome major challenges, such as the loss of his starboard foil in the Indian Ocean. Despite this incident, Sébastien Simon maintained his podium position thanks to his determination and bold tactical choices.
Her night-time arrival in Les Sables d'Olonne was followed by an ascent of the channel on the morning of January 17, allowing the public to celebrate her feat. This success testifies to his resilience, especially after his retirement from the 2020 Vendée Globe.
