Charlie Dalin, who won the 2024-25 Vendée Globe while battling gastrointestinal cancer, has died aged 42.
The French sailor completed the solo round-the-world race in 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 49 seconds, breaking the previous record by nine days, eight hours, 12 minutes and 57 seconds. He took immunotherapy medication throughout the race.
His record-breaking performance earned him the 2025 Rolex World Sailor of the Year title at a ceremony at the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland.
Born in Le Havre, Dalin trained as a naval architect before launching his offshore racing career. He came second in the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe before claiming victory in the most recent edition.
“Charlie represented all that is great about our sport and everyone in our global sailing community will be touched by his tragically early death,” said David Graham, World Sailing Chief Executive. “He showed grit in the face of unbelievable adversity and a drive for excellence. And he did this while remaining humble, approachable and wonderfully generous with his time.”
Dalin won IMOCA Globe Series titles in 2021 and 2022. His other victories included the 2022 Vendée Arctique, the 2019 Transat Jacques Vabre, and the 2012 Transat AG2R.
He competed in the Vendée Globe twice, finishing second in 2020-21 before his record-breaking win while undergoing cancer treatment.
