Fair winds, Charlie

French sailor Charlie Dalin was recently seen at Kerleven, between Port-la-Forêt and Concarneau in Finistère, practicing wingfoiling. Under a frequently overcast sky, he moved with agility on his board, readily offering tips for maneuvers. The article notes that when a sailor is not on their boat, they often continue to engage with the water, whether on a board or foil, always attuned to the slightest gust of wind.

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When a sailor is not on their boat, they navigate anyway. On a board, with a foil. Always on the lookout for the slightest gust, they live with the wind.

Dalin's skill on the wingfoil was described as remarkable, drawing parallels to his offshore racing prowess. The text suggests that light sailing relies on the same principles as long-distance racing: discerning the most subtle nuances that differentiate one wind gust from another. A sailor must sense every shift to navigate effectively, knowing where to maneuver and where to glide.

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He seemed as talented as when he was on an Imoca. For him, the air was a support, a ground on which he could rely to gain momentum.

Earlier this winter, Dalin attended a screening of a film documenting his Vendée Globe race and his concurrent battle with illness at the Concarneau cinema. The event, part of the Sailorz festival, drew a large crowd of local maritime professionals, friends, and admirers. The standing ovation was prolonged, and many in the audience, including the writer, were moved to tears. Dalin responded with a quiet smile, though he appeared not entirely at ease, perhaps sensing that the future was closing in, even as the Vendée Globe seemed distant.

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The room was full: all the sailors from the town and surrounding areas, but also neighbors, friends, admirers. The standing ovation went on and on. The applause continued, tears welled up in our eyes. Charlie smiled discreetly. He no longer seemed entirely serene.