Quicker than anyone expected

Published on January 14th, 2025

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston will always be the first to sail round the world – solo, non-stop, without assistance. That was in 1969, and his achievement is now the foundation of the Vendée Globe. Upon winning the 10th edition, Charlie Dalin received this note from Knox-Johnston as President of the International Association of Cape Horners:


I have just watched you crossing the finishing line. WOW – what an achievement! You have broken just about every race and solo monohull record going:

• Fastest from the Equator to Cape of Good Hope
• Fastest across the Southern Ocean from Good Hope to Cape Horn
• Fastest from Cape Horn to Equator
• Fastest from Equator to the finish in Les Sables d’Olonne

While doing so you are the first to break through the 500 mile day barrier with a new solo 24 hour monohull record of 509.05 nm – a teeth (or filling) shattering 29.02 knot average, and also smashed the previous solo monohull circumnavigation record by a massive 9 days!

You and your podium rivals Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) and Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) have transformed the Vendée Globe Race from a 3-month adventure into a 2-month sporting sprint around the Globe.

Fifty-five years ago, when I completed the first solo non-stop circumnavigation in 312 days aboard my sturdy little yacht Suhaili, it was inconceivable to think that anyone might one day achieve the same in my lifetime within just 65 days!

It is a tribute not only to your own skills in navigation, seamanship and sporting prowess, but to the designers and engineers who produced your IMOCA 60 MACIF Santé Prévoyance to withstand all that has been thrown at it by the elements without breakages.

According to our records, you are the 194th person to have now completed what is your second solo circumnavigation via Cape Horn, and we Cape Horners extend to you a warm welcome to one of the most exclusive clubs in the world – the International Association of Cape Horners.

Your time is almost unimaginably… quicker than anyone could have expected. A phenomenal performance!


The International Association of Cape Horners represents some 500 international circumnavigators. The Association maintains a definitive record of modern-day circumnavigations and organises the annual Cape Horn Hall of Fame awards hosted by Les Sables d’Olonne. For further information visit https://capehorners.org/

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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.

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