French sailor Charlie Dalin, who won the IMOCA class on the 2019 race with Yann Eliès and was first to cross the finish line of the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe, has announced that he will not be able to participate in the 16th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre which starts on Sunday from Le Havre.
Despite his absence, Dalin's teammate Pascal Bidégorry will join him to cross the starting line with the approval of the medical team, allowing him to continue his qualification process for the next Vendée Globe. However, their team, Macif Santé Prévoyance, will be forced to abandon the race once the starting line is crossed.
In an effort to respect Dalin's personal wishes and the other crews participating in the race, 'no declarations or quotes will be given' in the coming days, the race organisers say.
Dalin was considered one of the pre-race favourites for the Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre, but his absence is likely to change the dynamics of the competition.
