The Vendée Globe 2020-2021 bowed out this Friday with the arrival of Ari Huusela, 25th and last in an edition that will go down in history.
Under the sun, escorted by a pretty procession of boats that came to meet him at breakfast time, the Finnish skipper, two smoke bombs in his hands to celebrate the unique moment, crossed the finish line after 116 days, 18 hours, 15 minutes and 46 seconds spent at sea.
Around the world in 116 days, 18 hours, 15 minutes and 46 seconds
The 58-year-old navigator at the helm of Stark will therefore have taken 36 days, 14 hours and 31 minutes more than the winner, Yannick Bestaven, to complete his round the world unassisted and non-stop.
Regardless of the anecdotal verdict of the stopwatch, the airline pilot did not come to Sables d'Olonne to compete for the classification.
"Super Happy Ari", an amateur sailor, faced at his own pace the same events as those which preceded him in the standings and also had many troubles, facing a storm at Cape Horn for example, before arrive safely with an overall well preserved boat.
Let's go for the last channel climb of this # VG2020!
And it is Mr @arihuusela who has the honor to close this edition.
pic.twitter.com/IBYbmEdZMs
- Vendée Globe (@VendeeGlobe) March 5, 2021
“I am very proud to be the first Finn to complete the Vendée Globe.
It's been my project for so long ... I'm super super happy to have finished the race! ", Slipped with relief" Super Happy Ari "who had the right to a warm rise of the channel, applauded by several thousands of admirers gathered on the quays.
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A race of exceptional intensity
The Scandinavian thus closes the book of an event that will remain engraved in the history of ocean racing.
Not just because it took place in the unprecedented context of Covid-19 since the departure on November 8.
A mess of twists and turns, a fierce fight in the leading pack, an exceptional suspense will have accompanied the sailors until the end before his crowning Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq IV), winner thanks to the game of time compensations, ahead of Charlie Dalin (Apivia ), yet the first to cross the finish line on January 27.
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33 starters, 25 at the finish
These time bonuses, granted to those who had been diverted to try to come to the aid of Kevin Escoffier, shipwrecked on November 30, will also have spiced up a world tour also marked by the performance of Jean Le Cam.
At 61 years old, the savior of Escoffier in perdition aboard his liferaft in the 40th Roaring, signed a formidable 4th place on a boat of old generation.
Like 24 other sailors, the sparkling “King Jean” triumphed over the elements during the winter, eight other participants forced to abandon did not experience this joy.
Some of them will hang on to their dream in 2024 by trying their luck again, as always, from Les Sables d'Olonne.
Between laughter, tears and euphoria, the moving reunion of Vendée Globe sailors with their loved ones
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In images, in pictures
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