Charlie Dalin, the French sailor who won the 2024-2025 Vendée Globe in record time, has died aged 42. Reports said his family announced the death and that he had been battling gastrointestinal cancer since 2023.
French sailor Charlie Dalin, who won the 2024-2025 Vendée Globe in record time while privately battling cancer, has died aged 42.
Reports from BBC Sport, Le Monde and AS said Dalin's family announced his death on June 11, 2026. He was one of France's best-known offshore sailors and had been widely praised for completing the grueling solo race while undergoing treatment.
Record-breaking win
Dalin won the 2024-2025 Vendée Globe, the solo, non-stop round-the-world sailing race, in a time of 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 49 seconds.
The victory made him a major figure in French sailing and added to an already distinguished career. He had finished second in the previous 2020-2021 Vendée Globe.
Cancer battle
Multiple reports said Dalin had been battling a gastrointestinal cancer since 2023 and received treatment during the race. The details of his illness had not been broadly disclosed at the time of his victory.
Washington Post background reporting earlier this year described how he continued racing while being treated for cancer and later wrote about the experience in a book.
Tributes begin
AS reported that French president Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to Dalin after the news of his death. More reaction from French sailing officials and Dalin's team may follow.
At this stage, no additional memorial details have been announced in the reports reviewed.
Revision note
Initial automated publication.