Fifth, then third then first in the space of a few hours: Yannick Bestaven experienced a crazy end of race to win the Vendée Globe 2020, Thursday in the dark night of Sables d'Olonne, after 80 days at sea.
The ninth edition of the single-handed round the world race took place in the very last hours, in an unprecedented scenario, which was furthermore split with a last-minute twist.
It all started at 8:35 p.m. on Wednesday when Charlie Dalin (Apivia) was the first to cross the finish line off Les Sables d'Olonne, surrounded by an armada of boats glittering red, green and blue.
The 36-year-old Norman sailor, who occupied the top of the ranking for more than sixty percent of the course aboard his boat equipped with the latest generation foils, was not yet named the winner of the Vendée Globe 2020.
For that, he had to wait until two other competitors, the German Boris Herrmann (SeaExplorer-Yacht Club de Monaco), then third, and Bestaven (Maître Coq IV), fifth, also cut the line.
In fact, these two skippers had time compensation in their pocket for helping to rescue a wrecked competitor, Kevin Escoffier, on November 30.
These bonuses - six hours for Herrmann and ten hours and fifteen minutes for Bestaven, could only be taken into account once the line had been crossed.
What to bring the suspense to its height when the first five of the fleet are held in a pocket square.
A trying wait.
From extreme loneliness to fireworks
But barely half an hour after Dalin's arrival, Herrmann, who could snag the victory, collided with a fishing boat, 160 km from the line.
It was over for the German navigator, who will end his journey in slow motion, for an arrival between 10:30 and 11:30 Thursday morning, leaving the field open to Bestaven.
The 48-year-old Rochelais, who was already spinning fast, redoubled his power.
In particularly rough seas, he completed his round-the-world trip about eight hours after Dalin, which does not exceed his bonus.
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The navigator won the ninth edition, which he led for almost a month before being picked up by a horde after crossing Cape Horn.
He was greeted by fireworks, failing the public whose presence was prohibited due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We go from total solitude to this party, these lights, these people who are there despite the complicated context.
It's a pleasure, I do not yet realize what is happening, I am still in my race, while it is over.
It's a child's dream come true, ”said Bestaven, captivated.
