French Vendée Globe champion Charlie Dalin dies at 42

French sailor Charlie Dalin, the record-breaking winner of the 2024-25 Vendée Globe solo around-the-world race, has died from cancer at the age of 42. His death was announced by his family and race organizers on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

Dalin, a native of Le Havre, France, was diagnosed with a rare gastrointestinal cancer in late 2023. He chose to keep his condition private as he prepared for and ultimately competed in the grueling 2024-25 Vendée Globe, which began in November 2024. Despite his illness, he managed the race with daily medication and a strict rest schedule, completing the non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation in a record time of 64 days, 19 hours, and 22 minutes. This shattered the previous race record by more than nine days.

His victory came after a dramatic second-place finish in his first Vendée Globe in 2020-21. On that occasion, Dalin crossed the finish line first after 80 days at sea but ultimately placed second after time bonuses were awarded to a competitor who assisted in a rescue operation. His 2024-25 win aboard the yacht MACIF Santé Prévoyance was seen as a crowning achievement.

Tributes poured in from across the sailing world and French public life....