Like on the real sea where six sailors find themselves in a pocket square along South America for the final victory, the virtual edition of the Vendée Globe offered an epic battle for victory.
On Saturday, Jean-Claude Goudon, alias “Tigrou 26120” won 69 days, 22 hours and 16 minutes after leaving Sables d'Olonne with a tiny lead over his pursuers: 1'35 ”over a German player, Tournesol II and 2'30 '' on another French virtual skipper, Kerjouanno.
From his salon in Montélier (Drôme), the winner of the 2020-2021 edition has been well ahead of the real skippers who will not arrive before January 26 in the Vendée.
More than a million players had registered for the start of the virtual race, free and available on computer, mobile and tablet.
More than a million virtual players, a record widely broken
“The virtual Vendée Globe brings together an international community, it allows sailing and above all ocean racing to be discovered by a wider audience,” underlines its creator Philippe Guigné.
“Four years ago, during the last edition of the Vendée Globe, we welcomed 450,000 players.
For this new edition, we had set ourselves a target of one million players and we have succeeded in reaching this new milestone, ”he said.
Congratulations to the winner of @VirtualRegatta
It is at 11h
18mn
today that the French Jean-Claude Goudon - tigrou26120 - crossed the finish line in first position in the Virtual Vendée Globe.
It took 68 days 22h 16mn to complete his virtual world tour.
pic.twitter.com/dRgQfYuZ6i
- Vendée Globe (@VendeeGlobe) January 16, 2021
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