Newbie runner-up in Vendée Globe

Published on January 15th, 2025

Les Sables d’Olonne, France (January 15, 2025; Day 67) – After a thrilling and long-running duel with winner Charlie Dalin, the PAPREC ARKÉA skipper Yoann Richomme (FRA) completed his first solo round the world race this morning at 0612 UTC, taking second place in the 2024-25 Vendée Globe after 65 days, 18 hours and 10 minutes at sea.

It’s a remarkable achievement for a Vendée Globe first timer and a large, passionate crowd gathered to welcome Yoann back to Les Sables d’Olonne before dawn on a freezing winter’s morning.

His arrival symbolises the culmination of an extraordinary adventure and the crowds lining the legendary Les Sables d’Olonne channel exploded with joy and applause as the silhouette of the boat emerged. The sailor, smiling and visibly moved, greeted the crowd, savouring every moment of this celebration of his success and tenacity.

Richomme has left an indelible mark on the already storied history of the Vendée Globe. From the very first days of the race, back in November, he established himself as a formidable opponent, demonstrating mastery across the extraordinarily wide gamut of talents needed to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation.

A key strategic decision was his choice in the Indian Ocean to take the safe route around a giant low pressure system, while Charlie Dalin and Sébastien Simon opted for the direct route, through the center of this dangerous system. This gamble, which he regretted after seeing his competitors emerge with a significant lead, pushed him to redouble his efforts.

In the deep south, he adopted an impressive pace, repeatedly putting in remarkable performances in demanding and relentless conditions. This tenacity was rewarded when he rounded Cape Horn in the lead, with a 9 minutes and 30 second advantage over Dalin.

A thrilling game of cat and mouse followed, where the two sailors traded blows, as they competing for every mile of advantage until the unpredictable conditions of the cold front at Cape Frio, where Dalin managed to escape. Despite this, Richomme showed impressive fighting spirit to the last, maintaining constant pressure on his opponent.

A second place in his first participation in the Vendée Globe is proof of an exceptional sailor in the most demanding competition in the sporting world. By completing this loop around the planet 22 hours and 47 minutes after the winner, he has inscribed his name among the leading figures of this legendary race.

“I’m very proud and I think of all the people who helped us, even before, the former sponsors,” said Richomme. “I’m wanting to share with them as well. It’s been an incredible adventure. We prepared really well. In my head I was ready, I hardly had to tinker, the boat is ready to go again!”

Yoann Richomme covered the theoretical course of 23,906 miles at an average speed of 15.15 knots, but his actual course of 28,326 miles was done at an average speed of 17.95 knots.

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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.

Source: VG2024, SSN

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