"I am the happiest man in the world"
Twenty minutes after crossing the finish line, Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) spoke about his emotions, the race and his incredible performance.
I am the happiest man in the world today, for sure. Winning the Vendée Globe….my second Vendée Globe, last time I only had line honours but did not get the win. This time I did. With the team I have been working for four years on this edition, building this new boat, preparing this boat and upgrading the boat and now it is done. When I crossed the finish line I felt things I never ever felt before, definitely the best finish line crossing of my career. By far….There was so much emotion, I am so really happy to be back in Les Sables d’Olonne after 66 (sic) days of ultra fast sailing, I am just really happy.
The new record on the Vendée Globe, eight days faster (sic) I think than Armel Le Cléac'h it is amazing to think we can sail around the world in 66 days on a monohull, it is cool. These boats are amazing, they are really fast, they are reliable now and you push hard, you can push, you know you are the limit, the boat takes it, the man, the skipper is the limit, for sure to the limit. And thanks to Yoanne, Yoanne Richomme, I think one of the reasons the record was beaten is he pushed so very hard and he forced me to push very hard as well. That was an amazing battle and I am looking forwards to seeing him when he arrives. He is an amazing sailor on his first Vendée Globe and he sailed like he had done it three or four times already. It looked the Southern Ocean was his garden. And I was so impressed by his performance.
