He will now wait until 0700UTC for his passage up the famed Les Sables d’Olonne channel, when the public will celebrate this remarkable Vendéen sailor who, through dogged determination and perseverance, has added a compelling chapter to the story of a legendary race.
Sébastien Simon, 3rd in the 2024 Vendée Globe
French skipper Sébastien Simon crossed the Vendée Globe finish line in third place at 00h27 (UTC) on Friday January 17, after 67 days, 12 hours and 25 minutes of racing, finishing 2 days and 17 hours behind the overall winner. It's the first time a sailor from Les Sables d'Olonne, where the legendary solo round the world race starts and finishes has finished on the podium. The Groupe Dubreuil skipper’s race was marked by multiple challenges which contrasted sharply with moments of great success. He smashed the record for the greatest distance covered solo in 24 hours, setting a new mark at 615.33 miles. Breaking his starboard foil could have compromised his chances, yet he showed extraordinary determination to remain on the podium. Simon also distinguished himself with a bold tactical choice in the Indian Ocean depression, as did race winner Charlie Dalin.
LES SABLES D'OLONNE, FRANCE - 17 JANVIER 2025 : Sébastien Simon (FRA), skipper de Groupe Dubreuil, prend la 3e place du Vendée Globe, le 17 janvier 2025 aux Sables d'Olonne, France - (Photo Jean-Louis Carli / Alea)
Race in figures
Arrival time (UTC)
Race time
67d 12h 25min 37s
Difference from first
2d 17h 02min 48s
Sébastien SIMON covered theoretical course of 23 906 miles at an average speed of 14.75 knots.
Sébastien SIMON covered an actual course of 27 807 miles at an average speed of 17.16 knots.
Passage times
- Equator (outward) 11d 11h 25min 50s
- Cape of Good Hope 19d 06h 40min 10s
- Cape Leeuwin 29d 13h 22min 18s
- Cape Horn 44d 21h 19min 38s
- Equator (return) 57d 18h 06min 19s
Race highlights
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Sébastien Simon takes the lead for the first time, but only for four hours.
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Sébastien regains the lead, again for four hours
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Sébastien Simon sets a new 24-hour speed record (615.33 miles or 1,139.6 km) in a solo race, 35.47 miles more than the previous record held by Yoann Richomme.
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Sébastien is the only skipper to follow Charlie Dalin into the heart of a depression in the Indian Ocean, when the other skippers opt for a more cautious route around it. He will thus open up a significant gap with the rest of the fleet.
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The starboard foil breaks as Groupe Dubreuil progresses towards Australia. "On the port tack, I will lose around 30% of speed," he confides.
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Sébastien Simon is slightly further north than Charlie Dalin and regains the lead, keeping it for 16 hours.
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Sébastien rounds Cape Horn, one day after Yoann Richomme and Charlie Dalin. He savours the moment, saying: "I never would have imagined being third at Cape Horn!"
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Third at the equator, Sébastien consolidates his place on the podium a little more, having extended his lead on fourth placed Jérémie Beyou to almost 1,500 miles.
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Home town hero Sebastien Simon completes this Vendee Globe podium in style
