Sailing-Dalin out, Goodchild in as British skipper takes charge of MACIF after health blow to Frenchman
Despite the absence of this year's Vendee Globe winner, the team confirmed on Tuesday that they will maintain their full racing schedule, with Goodchild and co-skipper Lois Berrehar set to compete in all planned events in the IMOCA Globe Series.
"It's a difficult decision to make, but health is a priority," said Dalin, who last month said he had set his sights on defending his series title.
"I'm obviously disappointed not to be able to sail this season, but I have complete confidence in Sam and Lois to fly the MACIF Sante Prevoyance flag high."
Dalin will remain involved in the project management behind the scenes while his team competes in three major races: the Course des Caps starting this Sunday, the Defi Azimut in September, and the Transat Cafe L'Or in October.
Goodchild, who won the 2023 IMOCA Globe Series Championship, acknowledged the responsibility that comes with the role. "It's an honour for me to take the helm of the IMOCA MACIF Sante Prevoyance," he said. "Lois and I will devote all our energy to living up to the collective ambition of this project."
Berrehar, 31, brings significant credentials to his co-skipper role. The French sailor won the Transat Paprec in 2023 and finished second in last year's Solitaire du Figaro with two stage victories. He had previously been named as Dalin's replacement skipper for the Vendee Globe.
"When Charlie called me to join this project, I took it as a huge vote of confidence," Berrehar said. "We're going to do everything we can to aim for victory."
For the upcoming Course des Caps, Goodchild and Berrehar will be joined by Charlotte Yven, Guillaume Combescure, and media driver Guillaume Gatefait for the 2,000-mile journey around the British Isles.
MACIF has requested no further inquiries regarding Dalin's health situation, and said no further statements would be made.
The IMOCA racing series is a premier offshore sailing championship featuring high-performance 60-foot monohull yachts known as IMOCAs, designed to be sailed by small crews or even solo. Governed by the International Monohull Open Class Association, the series includes iconic transoceanic races such as the Vendee Globe.
These cutting-edge boats, often equipped with hydrofoils, are built for speed, endurance, and innovation, making the IMOCA series a proving ground for the world's best ocean racers and a showcase for the latest in maritime technology.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Swiss women win fans' hearts with joyous Euro journey
BERN :Long after the final whistle in Switzerland's defeat to Spain that ended their Euros, fans chanted and sang the praises of a squad that electrified the host nation. For more than two weeks "La Nati", as the women's national team is affectionately known, captivated Switzerland with red-shirted fans thronging sold-out stadiums to see them qualify for the knockout stage of the Euros for the first time. They battled bravely in their quarter-final before succumbing 2-0 to reigning world champions Spain. "We had tears in our eyes. I think when everyone saw us, it was a bit emotional," Swiss captain Lia Waelti said of walking out for the quarter-final. "We never dreamed of it, and what happened here in Switzerland in the last two weeks is unbelievable. It's a dream and we really enjoyed it to the fullest." After opening with a 2-1 defeat by Norway, Switzerland bounced back to beat Iceland 2-0 before grabbing a stoppage-time equaliser in a thrilling 1-1 draw with Finland to progress to the last eight as runners-up in Group A. Though Spain were the better team in their quarter-final, the well-organised Swiss harried and harassed them all over the field. It took Aitana Bonmati's superb back-heel, setting up Athenea del Castillo, to finally breach their defence in the 66th minute, with Claudia Pina adding a second five minutes later. "I'm very, very proud," the 32-year-old midfielder Waelti told reporters. "I think we did everything that was in our power - we fought, we kept the ball as long as possible. It's not easy against Spain. They have incredible quality on the pitch." At the final whistle, the Swiss fans raised their voices even further to show their appreciation, and such was the respect of the Spanish players that they formed a guard of honour for the Swiss team as they left the field. An hour later, Swiss fans of all ages outside the stadium stood pressed up against a metal barrier, hoping for one last glimpse of the team that catapulted women's football into the national consciousness as the players boarded the team bus for one final journey back to their base. Asked about her favourite memory from the tournament, an emotional Waelti pointed to the opening game against Norway as a special occasion before offering a broader perspective. "Every moment together with the fans. Every moment we could see how many people we actually brought on our side to support us. To see that is so, so special and it's something we've never dreamed about," she said.
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Evenepoel abandons Tour de France
BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON, France :Belgian Remco Evenepoel has abandoned the Tour de France during the 14th stage, a 182.6-km mountain trek from Pau to Superbagneres on Saturday. The Soudal-Quick Step rider, who was third overall, stepped off his bike and entered his team car midway through the ascent of the Col du Tourmalet, the first of four climbs on the day's menu.
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Bagnaia storms to first pole of season at Czech MotoGP
BRNO, Czech Republic :Twice MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia claimed his first pole position of the season at the Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix on Saturday, edging out Ducati teammate Marc Marquez, who crashed on his final qualifying lap. Bagnaia crossed the line with the fastest time of one minute and 52.303 seconds in mostly sunny conditions in Brno, with Marquez qualifying second and Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo completing the front row. Marquez was chasing an eighth pole of the season but slid into the gravel in the final minutes of second qualifying. "I want to say thanks to my team - they did a fantastic job when I stopped for a little moment. We just did a little adjustment," Bagnaia said. "It will be tricky for the tyres this afternoon," he added, referring to the Czech MotoGP sprint later on Saturday. Reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Martin marked his return to qualifying with a 12th-place finish after missing 10 of the 11 rounds because of injuries. Wrist and ankle injuries suffered in a pre-season crash had ruled the 27-year-old Martin out of the first three rounds before another crash in his first race on board the Aprilia bike in Qatar in April led to a collapsed lung and bruised ribs. VR46 Racing's Fabio Di Giannantonio, fourth in the riders' championship, will start 13th on the grid after finishing third in qualifying one.
