Vendée Globe champion Charlie Dalin dies aged 42 after cancer battle
Family confirms passing of the 42-year-old one year after his historic solo circumnavigation victory.
French yachtsman Charlie Dalin has died at the age of 42 following a long battle with cancer, his family announced on Thursday. The passing of the 2024-25 Vendée Globe champion comes exactly one year after he completed a record-breaking non-stop solo circumnavigation of the globe.
Dalin’s wife, Perrine Le Pape, confirmed the death in a statement to AFP, stating: "It is with deep sadness that my family and I announce the passing of my husband, Charlie Dalin, following a long illness." The announcement marks the end of a career defined by resilience, as Dalin achieved his most significant sporting triumph while managing a serious health condition.
The renowned sailor won the 2024-25 Vendée Globe with a record time of 64 days, 19 hours and 22 minutes. This victory occurred just weeks after he was diagnosed with a rare gastrointestinal stromal tumour in late 2023. Dalin had initially kept his diagnosis private to avoid jeopardising his participation in the gruelling race, which is widely regarded as one of the most demanding events in global sport.
Prior to his record-setting win, Dalin had finished second in the 2020-21 edition of the Vendée Globe. His diagnosis in late 2023 initially forced him to withdraw from the Transat Jacques Vabre race to undergo treatment. After several months of recovery, he returned to the sea, chronicling his experience with the illness in a book titled *The Power of Destiny*.
Dalin’s legacy includes both his athletic achievements and his efforts to support others facing similar diagnoses. By maintaining his privacy during the 2024-25 race, he ensured his medical condition did not impact his competitive standing, ultimately securing a historic victory that stands as a testament to his physical and mental endurance.
