Les Sables d’Olonne, France (January 24, 2025; Day 76) – It had been a week since the Vendée Globe podium was complete, without another finisher until today delivered an incoming crowd:

4th. Emerging relieved and happy out of a dark, windy night off Les Sables d’Olonne, Jérémie Beyou (FRA) crossed the finish line of his fifth Vendée Globe at 00:58 (UTC). The elapsed time for the 48 year old skipper of Charal is 74 days, 12 hours, 56 minutes and 54 seconds and he finishes 9 days and 17h behind race winner Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance). – Full report

5th. At 10h40 UTC, after 74 days, 22 hours and 38 minutes of racing, Paul Meilhat (FRA) crossed the finish line, posting a result for the 42 year old that underlines the remarkable tenacity and talent which he showed on the 2016-17 race which he had to abandon due to a keel ram failure whilst lying third. – Full report

6th. Nicolas Lunven (FRA) crossed the Vendée Globe finish line in the midst of a building winter storm at 0751 PM UTC, after 75 days, 07 hours and 49 minutes of racing. The completion of his circumnavigation represents a remarkable performance for the Breton skipper’s first participation, especially as he didn’t take the reins of Holcim – PRB’s IMOCA until September 2023, little more than a year before the start. – Full report

Tomorrow will be another busy day at the finish line. For ETA updates, click here.

Podium Results
1. Charlie Dalin (FRA): 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes, 49 seconds
2. Yoann Richomme (FRA): 65 days, 18 hours, 10 minutes, 2 seconds
3. Sébastien Simon (FRA): 67 days, 12 hours, 25 minutes, 37 seconds

Race updates – Tracker – Ranking – Arrival times – Facebook

Attrition:
Nov. 15: Maxime Sorel (FRA), V and B – Monbana – Mayenne, ankle injury, mast damage
Dec. 4: Louis Burton (FRA), Bureau Vallée, rigging failure
Dec. 15: Pip Hare (GBR), Medallia, dismasted
Dec. 16: Szabolcs Weöres (HUN), New Europe, broken D2 shroud
Dec. 30: Yannick Bestaven (FRA), Maître CoQ V, steerage damage
Jan. 12: Éric Bellion (FRA), STAND AS ONE – Altavia, broken J2 forestay pin

The Vendée Globe, raced in the 60-foot IMOCA, is the elite race round the world, solo, non-stop, and without assistance. On November 10, 40 skippers started the 2024-25 edition which begins and ends in Les Sables d’Olonne, France.

Armel Le Cléac’h, winning in 2017, previously held the record for the 24,300 nm course of 74 days 03 hours 35 minutes 46 seconds. Only one sailor has won it twice: Michel Desjoyeaux in 2001 and 2009. This is tenth running of the race.

Source: https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2025/01/24/finishers-again-at-vendee-globe-2024-25/