Charlie DALIN

With unwavering determination and heightened professionalism, Charlie makes success one of his main drivers. After graduating in naval architecture in 2006 from the University of Southampton, Charlie quickly set out on a career in ocean racing. He succeeded in pursuing a professional career in naval architecture and a meticulous physical, technical and mental preparation.

In 2011, Charlie Dalin will join the Pôle Finistère Course au Large of Port-la-Forêt where he will start in Figaro Bénéteau, the top category in solo ocean racing. In his second season, he won the Transat AG2R La Mondiale alongside Gildas Morvan. The following years will be made of podiums and victories, including the coveted title of Elite French Singlehanded Offshore Racing Champion, which he won twice (2014 - 2016).

Since 2015, Charlie has been part of the Skipper Macif chain of excellence, allowing him to devote himself fully to the Figaro circuit. During the 2016-17 Vendée Globe, he was chosen as substitute skipper for Yann Elies, a confidence gained in 2015 following the 3rd place of the two men in the difficult Transat Jacques Vabre. In 2018, Apivia Mutuelle joined Charlie on the Imoca circuit. A 4-year partnership until 2022, punctuated by the construction of a new generation boat, culminating in participation in the Vendée Globe in November 2020.

After a victory in the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2019, followed by some excellent performances at the start of the year, Charlie Dalin was one of the favorites at the start of the 2020 Vendée Globe. After 37 days at the head of the fleet and an overall remarkable race, the skipper of APIVIA crossed the finish line in first place after 80 days at sea, but finished second in the ranking after applying bonuses to the other skippers. Whatever the ranking, Charlie can be proud of this first single-handed round-the-world race, which was totally in line with his ambitions.  

The IMOCA Globe Series races follow each other in 2021 and 2022, and Charlie, aboard his now-familiar APIVIA, never fails to impress. Le Havre was crowned IMOCA Champion in 2021, double-handed with Paul Meilhat, then solo in 2022!

In 2023, Charlie Dalin's team completes the construction of a new IMOCA, again designed by Guillaume Verdier, but this time in the colors of MACIF Santé Prévoyance. A few weeks before her launch, the skipper joins the crew of 11th Hour Racing Team for Leg 5 of The Ocean Race. A demanding transatlantic race between Newport and Aarhus (Denmark), which the team won brilliantly.

On his return, Charlie launched his brand new IMOCA, taking an impressive victory barely a month later in the Rolex Fastnet Race, alongside Pascal Bidégorry as co-skipper. The season was looking promising for Charlie and his team, culminating in second place in the Défi Azimut - Lorient Agglomération. However, fate threw a spanner in the works when health problems struck the skipper from Le Havre, forcing him to abandon the Transat Jacques Vabre shortly after crossing the start line.

Although the start of this race partially secured his qualification for the Vendée Globe, Charlie must now commit to completing one of the two transatlantic races of the IMOCA GLOBE SERIES 2024 to guarantee his participation. The road to the prestigious competition will not be without challenges, but Charlie remains determined to overcome the obstacles and achieve his ultimate goal: to win the Vendée Globe.

In 2024, the skipper from Le Havre shows his strength, finishing 4th in the Transat CIC, first in the New York Vendée, and first in the Défi Azimut. He thus embarks on the solo round-the-world race under the best possible conditions to claim the ultimate prize in French offshore racing.

From the very start of the race, Charlie sets a fast pace, always staying with the leaders. The first decisive turning point comes off the Brazilian coast. Charlie Dalin takes advantage of a low-pressure system to take the lead in the South Atlantic, heading straight for the Cape of Good Hope. The pace he sets is relentless, and gradually, his closest competitors lose ground.

As the skippers enter the Southern Ocean, a trio emerges: Dalin, Richomme, and Simon, each engaged in a fierce battle for control. But for Dalin, this relentless pace was merely the prelude to near-absolute control of the race. The most significant turning point occurs when Charlie Dalin and Sébastien Simon choose to sail in front of the depression in the heart of the Indian Ocean, while others – including Yoann Richomme – navigate around the system to the north. Charlie Dalin then takes firm control of the race, all the way to Les Sables d’Olonne, where he will emerge as the undisputed winner of this 10th edition of the Vendée Globe. Following this victory, Charlie finishes first in the IMOCA Globe Series 2024.

2018: La Solitaire Urgo Le Figaro - 3rd
2018: La Solo maitre Coq - 6th
2017: Douarnenez Fastnet Solo - 1st
2017: La Solitaire Urgo Le Figaro - 3rd
2016: Douarnenez Horta Solo- 1st
2016: La Solitaire du Figaro – 2nd
2015: La Solitaire du Figaro - 2nd
2015: Solo Basse Normandie - 2nd
2014: Championnat de France de Course au Large  - Winner
2014: Le Havre All Mer Cup - 3rd
2014: La Solitaire du Figaro - 3rd
2014: Lorient - Horta Solo - 2nd
2013: Rolex Fastnet Race - Winner Figaro
2013: Tour de France à la Voile - 3d M34
2013: Record SNSM - Winner
2012: Transat AG2R - Winner
2012: Med-Race - 3rd M34
2011: Solo Basse Normandie - 3rd Figaro
2010: Record SNSM - Winner
2009: Mini Transat - 2nd Pogo 2
2008: Rolex Sydney Hobbart - 2nd
2008: les Sables - Les Açores - Les Sables - 2nd Pogo 2
2004: Round The Island - Winner Farr 52
2004: Commodore's Cup - Winner Farr 52