Les Sables-d'Olonne (France) (AFP)
Damien Seguin (Groupe Apicil) became the first disabled sailor to complete the Vendée Globe on Thursday after 80 days, 21 hours and 58 minutes at sea, i.e. 18 hours and 13 minutes more than the winner Yannick Bestaven.
Damien Seguin was the sixth to cross the finish line, just after the German Boris Herrmann (Seaexplorer - Yacht Club de Monaco) who ranks fourth taking into account the six hours of compensation obtained for participating in the rescue of Kevin Escoffier .
The German skipper, who was claiming victory, hit a fishing boat on Wednesday evening while sailing in third position 160 km from the finish in Les Sables-d'Olonne.
The collision damaged the starboard foil (appendage which allows “flying”) and forced the sailor to finish at reduced speed.
Damien Seguin, born without a left hand, had an exemplary race for his first Vendée Globe, notably occupying the leading position five times.
In the wake of these two sailors, the Italian Giancarlo Pedote (Prysmian Group) was the seventh to cross the finish line at 13:02.
As the tide is now favorable to them, Herrmann, Seguin and Pedote will go up the Sables-d'Olonne channel together at 2:00 p.m. to join the four boats already moored, before the arrival of the oldest of the race Jean Le Cam (Yes We Cam! ) scheduled for the evening.
The ninth edition of the Vendée Globe was won by Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq IV) in 80 days 3 hours and 44 minutes and the other two steps of the podium are occupied by Charlie Dalin (Apivia) and Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée 2).
© 2021 AFP