LES SABLES D’OLONNE, France — French sailor Charlie Dalin made history by winning the iconic Vendee Globe around-the-world race in record time. On Tuesday, he completed his solo adventure in under 65 days, finishing his journey in 64 days, 19 hours, and 22 minutes. This remarkable achievement surpassed the previous record by nearly 10 days, serving as redemption for Dalin after narrowly missing victory in the last race four years ago.

In the 2021 Vendee Globe, Dalin had also crossed the finish line first after spending 80 days at sea. However, he ultimately finished second as Yannick Bestaven was awarded the title after receiving a time bonus for assisting in the rescue of another competitor. This year, amid no such controversies, the 40-year-old Dalin celebrated his triumphant return to Les Sables-d’Olonne, a picturesque coastal town in western France that marks both the start and finish of the challenging race.

Dalin’s record-breaking performance saw him beat the previous record set by Armel Le Cléac’h in 2017 by more than nine days. As he reached the finish line aboard his yacht, MACIF Santé Prévoyance, he joyfully raised his arms in celebration, flanked by a procession of small pleasure boats in the harbor.

“It’s the best finish line of my whole career, and by far,” said Dalin, expressing his overwhelming emotions. “I never experienced such emotions. With the daylight starting to break through, it was unbelievable.” He had led the fleet for a remarkable 42 days and maintained his position at the front since December 30.

The Vendee Globe is a grueling race that takes sailors on a perilous route around some of the world’s most challenging maritime landmarks, including South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin in Australia, and Cape Horn in South America, covering approximately 24,000 nautical miles (around 44,500 kilometers). Dalin held his ground at both the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Leeuwin but was briefly trailing his competitor Yoann Richomme around Cape Horn, where he was 9 minutes and 30 seconds behind. However, he regained the lead once again in the South Atlantic.

Originating from Le Havre in Normandy, Dalin’s passion for sailing ignited at the tender age of six during a holiday sailing course in Brittany. He spent seven seasons refining his skills in the Figaro class before stepping into the IMOCA circuit in 2019. In addition to his runner-up finish in the last Vendee Globe, Dalin also claimed second place in the 2022 Route du Rhum, a prestigious transatlantic race stretching from France to the Caribbean.