Vendée Globe, Seb Simon completes the podium
Breaking newsEnglishIn evidenzaOceanoVelaVendée Globe 19 Gennaio 2025 Zerogradinord 0
Les Sables d’Olonne – 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.
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.
“The welcome was extraordinary, despite the freezing cold. It was an incredible moment, and I will retain such unforgettable memories of it. Everything went by so quickly that I feel like I left yesterday. It’s crazy how we forget the difficult challenges, and of course there were some of them. But I fought until the end. This project, launched only a year and a half ago with Groupe Dubreuil, has exceeded all our expectations. Their support has been exceptional. In a year and a half, we have built a remarkable team. Finishing the Vendée Globe was already an achievement, but getting a podium after having been race leader several times is extraordinary. Paul-Henri Dubreuil has confirmed his support for the next edition, and I am deeply touched by this confidence.”
Apart from the port foil breakage, any other damage?
“Yes, I also lost the keel nose cone and the capping round the keel box in the Pacific , which can be critical because it puts the keel well under pressure. In the Indian Ocean, one of my diesel tanks emptied onto four of my six food bags. My entire reserve was contaminated. Fortunately, I was able to recover the fuel, but managing degraded nutrition was a real mental challenge. Despite everything, it is for these events that I am doing the Vendée Globe. This race has kept all its promises and made me stronger. This third place is the reward.”
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