CHARLIE DALIN: "THIS VICTORY COMES AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME!"
Charlie looks back on his victory, the connection he is forging with his new boat and the confidence he has built up ahead of the most famous of round-the-world races.
New York Vendée :
How did you feel crossing the line ?
Charlie Dalin
It’s really great to win this race. After 11 days at sea, it’s nice to arrive in Les Sables d’Olonne and smell the smell of the land. I’m really happy for MACIF and for the team!
New York Vendée :
This victory is especially the fruit of a key decision, this passage through thaat front you are the only one to have crossed with boris... Can you talk about that key moment?
Charlie Dalin
Yes, that was the decisive point of this race. I was well placed in relation to the front. Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB) was right next to me but he went back to the wrong side, he no longer had the right wind angle. I had to put the bow down little more to make sure I stayed on the right side. 15 hours later, the front caught up with me again, there were clouds, rain and we had to really push to accelerate to avoid being caught up by it.
New York Vendée :
When you saw the gap widen, what was your primary feeling?
Charlie Dalin
It was just great! I spent a lot of time looking at satellite images to see if I was getting ahead of the front. You push and push harder and you know that every meter gained will count... I did everything to stay ahead: I forced myself not to make any maneuvers or change sails to slow down as little as possible. In retrospect, I should have accelerated earlier: the angle I had was extremely risky but it worked.
New York Vendée :
Behind, the choices within the fleet were very different… how do you view the other skippers’ race?
Charlie Dalin
I didn't really look into the details. For a moment, I was afraid of the group of southerners because they had a good route to get back up close to the low pressure center. Furthermore, I thought for a long time that Boris (Herrmann, Malizia-Seaexplorer) could not come back to me until yesterday when it stressed me out a little before everything returned back to normal.
New York Vendée :
Do you feel like you know more about your boat, that you have learned a lot?
Charlie Dalin
Yes, I'm really happy to have spent eleven more days on board. I learned how to use it, my settings, its responses to the wind, and how to use the living area. It's starting to get into my blood, I feel that I'm at one with it, that I waste less energy finding the right settings. The objective is to know it well enough to be able to concentrate on the weather, strategy and life on board.
New York Vendée :
Do you feel it’s a step above your previous boat, Apivia?
Charlie Dalin
Yes clearly! It performs better upwind, reaching, downwind, in terms of ergonomics... It's a great boat and I realize that every time I'm alongside another boat.
New York Vendée :
You are returning with a win after missing races last year does that add an extra dimension?
Charlie Dalin
Yes, it obviously matters after my end of year was cut short. It gives me confidence in my ability to win. My boat is starting to have a good track record with two victories in three races (with the Rolex Fastnet Race last summer). And then it’s my first solo victory on an IMOCA transatlantic. This success comes at the right time, it will boost the whole team before the Vendée Globe!
New York Vendée :
This sunday morning from 9 am, you will go up the channel… are you ready for this beautiful party?
Charlie Dalin
Yes of course ! It’s part of the legend of Vendée and Sables d’Olonne. During the last Vendée Globe, because of Covid-19 and confinement, not everyone was able to enjoy it so we can't wait to experience it with the public. It will definitely have be taste of the Vendée Globe.
New York Vendée :
As you get a little older and with more experience you enjoy these moments a little more?
Charlie Dalin
Yes, I think I am learning to enjoy all these cool little things when they come along. Clearly, I am happy. I passed the 40-year old mark at the beginning of May and I have just won the first race I am competing in my new decade... I am not yet ready to retire! (laughs)
