Charlie Dalin, first across the line, managed to repair his boat enough to not only complete the race but to be first across the finish line in Les Sables d’Olonne. Charlie Dalin, May 10, 1984 – June 11, 2026 It’s hard to overstate French sailor Charlie Dalin’s achievement in winning the Vendée Globe solo round the world race in 2024-’25. That marathon is difficult enough to win once, let alone doing so after taking line honours four years earlier.