Belgian skipper Denis Van Weynbergh completes solo non stop round the world passage but finishes outside the 2024 Vendée Globe ranking. Denis Van Weynbergh, skipper of D’Ieteren Group, arrived in Les Sables D’Olonne this morning to complete his solo non stop round the world passage but the 57 year old Belgian skipper missed the race time limit for by some 24 hours and so he finishes ‘hors concours’ – outside of the rankings. Any disappointment was lifted by a big, warm, appreciative welcome by race fans who lined the famous Les Sables d’Olonne channel, taking up their positions from early morning…
He has shown remarkable resilience and fortitude most recently in the face of problems with his mainsail halyard which have meant he has had to sail with no mainsail at all or with two or three reefs for the final 12 days. His Vendée Globe was a lifelong dream as a sailor and it proved a real test of character for him, where each challenge he took on confirmed his determination
His quest to do the Vendée Globe began in earnest in 2018, when, as an SME boss and sailing instructor he bought an IMOCA, Nandor Fa’s former Spirit of Hungary. But faced with a lack of funding he had to temporarily put his project on hold. Refusing to give up, he rethought his plan in 2020 by adopting an innovative and collective approach, focusing on reusing and repurposing equipment. This bold choice meant a collaborative initiative and all the way through his build up he was supported by a team of volunteers.
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