Arnaud Boissières finished his fourth Vendée Globe in 15th place and opened the jubilant Thursday in Les Sables-d'Olonne in the morning, before Kojiro Shiraishi ("DMG Mori Global One") became Japan's first skipper to finish the solo race around the world in 16th place and thus make history. With an air temperature of minus two degrees, the skippers on board their Imoca yachts and many fans on land provided festive lighting with Bengalo fires at the welcome ceremony in the freezing cold. In the afternoon, after crossing the finish line, the Swiss "La Fabrique" skipper Alan Roura and Stéphane Le Diraison ("Time for Oceans") enjoyed the journey through the channel to the start and finish harbour, where the second best female sailor of this edition, the British "Medallia" skipper Pip Hare, is expected later in the evening. We will report separately on the arrival of these three later on YACHT online.
With the many happy arrivals, the never-ending cheers were reminiscent of the days when the 9th Vendée Globe was decided between victory and defeat, when eight boats reached the finish line within 24 hours on 27 and 28 January and Arnaud Boissières' close friend Yannick Bestaven won the Vendée Globe. Bestaven returned today, Thursday, to greet and personally congratulate "La Mie Câline - Artisans Artipôle" skipper Boissières and the other homecomers. Mutual support has a long tradition in France. When asked about his Vendée Globe story, Boissières, who took 94 days, 18 hours, 36 minutes and 6 seconds to complete his round-the-world voyage, said: "After four participations, this is not just a story. This is my life."
For Kojiro Shiraishi, the end of his voyage not only marked the historic achievement of an Asian skipper. For the 53-year-old from Kamakura, completing the "Course of the Three Capes" is also the fulfilment of a dream he has cherished for over 34 years and never lost sight of. However, it almost came to nothing in the initial phase in mid-November: Shiraishi had to fight for his mainsail for more than seven days after it broke six days after the start. What many experts at first glance thought was hardly repairable, the Japanese sailor tackled with tireless energy. The masterpiece succeeded. Kojiro Shiraishi was able to continue the race of his life with a steady run and finish happily and gratefully on 11 February, just over two weeks after Charlie Dalin's "Apivia", which was the first to cross the finish line in this edition. The Shiraishi coup was achieved with a lot of patience, a positive attitude, mental strength and trust in the still young VPLP design "DMG Mori Global One".
"It was really wonderful and a longer adventure than originally planned," said Kojiro Shiraishi at the finish. The Japanese rider continued: "Arriving and seeing all these familiar faces and people is really heart-warming. It's a miracle. I really didn't think the mainsail would hold. It's really incredible that it lasted and that I was able to finish this wonderful adventure. Arriving was my most important goal. But I also wanted to satisfy my sponsor, my team and the many fans who kept encouraging me. That's what makes me most proud." Shiraishi's achievement was inspired by his mentor: Japanese sea sailor Yokoh Tada had won the 1982/83 BOC Challenge around the world in Class 2. "I have been dreaming of this Vendée Globe for more than 30 years - ever since my master Yukoh Tada was invited by Philippe Jeantot to take part. It has taken 30 years to complete this circumnavigation. And I am proud that I was able to complete what Yukoh Tada wanted to do."
Shiraishi's first attempt had ended abruptly during the 2016/17 Vendée Globe when he lost the mast of his Spirit of Yukoh on 4 December 2016. After that, the skipper turned over every stone to make another attempt. With the support of DMG Mori, the hull moulds of Jérémie Beyou's "Charal", the "DMG Mori Global One" built at Multiplast in Vannes and christened in August, project manager Charles Euverte and a small but excellent shore crew, the plan succeeded. Over ground, Shiraishi sailed 29,068 nautical miles at an average speed of 12.76 knots. His total sailing time: 94 days, 21 hours, 32 minutes and 56 seconds.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
