World Sailing, and sailors everywhere, are mourning the passing of the truly inspirational Charlie Dalin, 2025 Rolex World Sailor of the Year, Vendée Globe record breaker and two-time IMOCA Globe Series winner.
Dalin, who was 42, captured the imagination of the sporting world when he won the 2024-25 Vendée Globe. 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.
That achievement saw him crowned Rolex World Sailor of the Year at the 2025 World Sailing Awards. Sailing fans from around the world voted for the Frenchman in their thousands to ensure he won the prestigious title in a ceremony at the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland.
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.
“The thoughts of everyone at World Sailing are with his friends and family at this time, and we extend our sympathies to everyone who is mourning Charlie’s passing.”
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.
Dalin achieved numerous successes in offshore racing, including standout performances in the Vendée Globe.
After finishing second in the 2020-2021 Vendée, he triumphed in the 2024-25 race in truly exceptional circumstances.
Battling gastrointestinal cancer, including taking immunotherapy medication while at sea, he nevertheless completed the race in 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 49 seconds, smashing the previous record by nine days, eight hours, 12 minutes and 57 seconds.
Other notable successes included IMOCA Globe Series titles in 2021 and 2022, as well as first places in the 2022 Vendée Arctique, the 2019 Transat Jacques Vabre, the 2012 Transat AG2R.
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