LES SABLES D'OLONNE, France, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- French sailor Charlie Dalin piloted his yacht "MACIF Sante Prevoyance" into the port of Les Sables-d'Olonne on Tuesday morning, achieving victory in the 2025 Vendee Globe with a record time of 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes, and 49 seconds.

The 40-year-old skipper shattered the previous record of 74 days, 3 hours, and 36 minutes set by Armel Le Cleac'h in 2017.

As Dalin crossed the finish line, he was greeted by his wife and son, who joined him on board to celebrate the emotional moment.

"I have never experienced such emotions. This is the victory we've been dreaming of. From the day after the 2021 Vendee Globe, my team and I have been working tirelessly toward this moment. Now, we've achieved our goal-it's simply incredible," standing on the deck, Dalin raised his arms in triumph and said.

In the 2021 race, Dalin was the first to cross the finish line but ultimately placed second after Yannick Bestaven was awarded a time bonus for rescuing another competitor. This result left Dalin deeply frustrated, but it also fueled his determination to create a more powerful yacht and prepare rigorously for the 2025 race.

Dalin built his lead in the race after passing the Cape of Good Hope and further cemented his lead by taking a risky route through the stormy middle section of the Indian Ocean, avoiding a significant detour.

Although his main rival, Yoann Richomme, managed to close the gap in the South Atlantic and briefly overtook him at Cape Horn, Richomme's damaged foresail in the North Atlantic sealed Dalin's commanding victory.

French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Dalin on social media, stating, "Charlie Dalin has entered the legend of the Vendee Globe," and praised his achievement as "a celebration of courage and the greatness of the human spirit!"

The Vendee Globe, established in 1989, is one of the world's most prestigious sailing competitions, held every four years. Participants must sail solo, without stops, external assistance, or resupply. Starting from the Vendee region of France, the race covers approximately 25,000 nautical miles, passing iconic landmarks such as the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn before returning to Les Sables-d'Olonne.

This year marks the 10th edition of the Vendee Globe. Skipper Xu Jingkun made history as the first Chinese sailor to compete in the race, a milestone that not only highlights his personal achievements but also signifies a new chapter for Chinese sailing in this elite global competition.

Out of 40 participants this year, six have retired from the race. Among the remaining 34 sailors, Xu currently ranks 31st. According to the official race website, Xu is expected to finish after Feb. 15. Enditem

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