In 2.50 meters of hollow, 20 knots of wind and heavy rain, Jean Le Cam crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe on Thursday in Les Sables d'Olonne.
At 8:19 pm, the oldest of the race (61 years old) finished his round-the-world trip after 81 days, 5 hours, 59 minutes and 55 seconds at sea. Author of a remarkable race on his foil-less boat, the Finistérien also distinguished himself by saving Kevin Escoffier during the latter's sinking in the South Atlantic on November 30.
For his act of bravery, he had benefited from 4:15 p.m. compensation from the jury.
Time that had to be subtracted from his stopwatch once arrived.
8th to cross the line in Les Sables, the “King” Jean finally finished 4th in 80 days 13 hours 44 minutes and 55 seconds, behind the winner Yannick Bestaven, Charlie Dalin and Louis Burton but ahead of Boris Herrmann, Thomas Rettant, Damien Seguin and Giancarlo Pedote.
Jean Le Cam was taking part in the Vendée Globe for the 5th time.
He finished 2nd in 2005, 5th in 2013 and 6th in 2017 while his 2nd attempt, in 2009, ended in retirement at Cape Horn.
"It is done.
I can tell you that I have never crossed a finish line like this in my life.
I'll tell you why tomorrow, ”said the Breton, once his run was over, with the art of sparing suspense.
“I don't know how I got there!
It's a deliverance, that's for sure, ”he added.
More info to come
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