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One last celebrates: Ari Huusela is delighted to have crossed the finish line at the Vendée Globe
Photo:
LOIC VENANCE / AFP
Ari Huusela was the last sailor to cross the finish line of the ninth edition of the Vendée Globe.
The 58-year-old Finn completed what is probably the toughest regatta in the world after 116 days, 18 hours, 15 minutes and 46 seconds before the French port city of Les Sables-d'Olonne.
The Frenchman Yannick Bestaven had finished 36 days earlier and emerged victorious from the regatta.
Huusela is the first sailor from the Nordic countries to compete in the race around the globe.
“I am very proud and happy.
You mustn't forget that I'm still an airplane pilot and only a hobby sailor, ”said the“ Stark ”skipper, visibly moved.
In normal life, the adventurer controls an Airbus 350 for an airline.
This marks the end of the ninth edition of the regatta since the first edition in 1989/1990.
The race for professionals and experienced amateurs attracted a record fleet of 33 starters on November 8, 2020, including six female skippers for the first time.
25 sailors finished, eight had to give up.
The German skipper Boris Herrmann had just missed the first podium placement of a German participant after a collision with a fishing trawler shortly before the finish.
He finished fifth with the “Seaexplorer - Yacht Club de Monaco”.
The 39-year-old is already working on participating in the tenth edition of the world's most important one-handed regatta, which will start in 2024.
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hba / dpa / sid
