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Les Sables d’Olonne, France (February 2, 2025; Day 85) – Arnaud Boissières (FRA), skipper of the recently dismasted La Mie Câline has been forced to retire from the race in the end. He took this decision today and made it official with race management. The solo racer who was bidding to complete his fifth consecutive Vendée Globe dismasted on January 30 at the latitude of the Cape Verde islands whilst on his climb back up the Atlantic.
Since then, ‘Cali’ looked for every possible solution, in particular by cutting his mainsail to create a makeshift jury rig. But even that solution did not allow him to make useful northwards progress. And so he has decided to retire.
“I tried to sail north again with this piece of mainsail and the jib set on the the bow but it didn’t work. The boat is pretty roughed up and won’t really sail like this. I already got that feeling yesterday: it’s my last day of this Vendée Globe. I think I’ve tried everything; I don’t want to tempt the devil. I’m in the trade winds and so downwind and I am heading to the West Indies. I don’t have a solution.
“My children can be proud of me, I have really tried everything. I don’t like the term “abandonment” because I still have 10 to 12 days at sea to reach the West Indies. These days, this will be my therapy. And as my consolation prize, I get to spend time on the ocean, which is what I love most in the world.”
For ETA updates, click here.
Final Results – Top Ten
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
4. Jérémie Beyou (FRA): 74 days, 12 hours, 56 minutes, 54 seconds
5. Paul Meilhat (FRA): 74 days, 22 hours, 38 minutes, 15 seconds
6. Nicolas Lunven (FRA): 75 days, 07 hours, 49 minutes, 41 seconds
7. Thomas Ruyant (FRA): 75 days, 16 hours, 47 minutes, 27 seconds
8. Justine Mettraux (SUI): 76 days, 01 hour, 36 minutes, 52 seconds
9. Sam Goodchild (GBR): 76 days, 02 hours, 01 minutes, 45 seconds
10. Benjamin Dutreux (FRA): 77 days, 03 hours, 39 minutes, 24 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
Jan. 30: Arnaud Boissières (FRA), La Mie Câline, dismasted
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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