French sailor Charlie Dalin, 2025 Rolex World Sailor of the Year, Vendée Globe record breaker and two-time IMOCA Globe Series winner, has passed away after a battle with cancer.
Dalin, who was 42, captured the imagination of the sporting world when he won the 2024-25 Vendée Globe, after finishing second in the 2020-2021 race. While battling gastrointestinal cancer which required him to take immunotherapy medication throughout the race, he smashed the previous record for the quadrennial event by almost ten days, crossing the finish line in January 2025 after 64 days, 19 hours and 22 minutes. That achievement saw him crowned Rolex World Sailor of the Year at the 2025 World Sailing Awards.
Alain Lebœuf, President of the Vendée Globe, said: “Charlie leaves an indelible mark on the history of the Vendée Globe, through his talent and his fighting spirit, both on the ocean and in the face of the ordeal he faced. Behind the champion, I do not forget the man, and the respect he inspired from all those who knew him. I think of his wife, his son, his whole family. On behalf of the entire organisation, I send them my support, my deep respect and all my affection at this time.”
Other notable successes included three times IMOCA Globe Series Champion, as well as first places in the 2022 Vendée Arctique, the 2019 Transat Jacques Vabre, the 2012 Transat AG2R.
Born in Le Havre, France, Dalin developed a passion for the sea at an early age and went on to build a distinguished career in sailing. Trained as a naval architect, he combined technical expertise with exceptional seamanship. Charlie Dalin made generations of sailors dream, and far beyond that, all those who followed his exploits. His life and his example will continue to inspire.
David Graham, World Sailing Chief Executive, said: “This is desperately sad news. Charlie represented all that is great about our sport and everyone in our global sailing community will be touched by his tragically early death. ‘Inspirational’ and ‘legend’ are words which can be used too easily in sport, but Charlie was both. He showed determination in the face of unbelievable adversity and a commitment to excellence. And he did this while remaining humble, approachable and wonderfully generous with his time. His sporting achievements on their own guaranteed him a place among the greats of sailing, but the bravery he demonstrated in fighting his illness means he will be held forever in the hearts of sailors.”
