Team Plastique is expected in Les Sables d’Olonne on Friday morning, February 22, 103 days after the start on November 10th. With such a final race time, Alessandro Di Benedetto would have won the first three editions:
1989-1990 – Titouan Lamazou 109d
1992-1993 – Alain Gautier 110d
1996-1997 – Christophe Auguin 105d
In 2000-2001, 12 competitors were still in the race after 100 days. Thiercelin finished 4th in 102d, Dominique Wavre and Thomas Coville – with the same boat as Alessandro – were 5th and 6th in 105 days.
During the 5th edition, in 2004-2005, 7 competitors were still at sea after 100 days. Conrad Humphreys and Joé Seeten finished respectively 7th and 8th in 104 days.
Finally, four years ago, during the 2008-2009 edition, five boats have completed their world tour in more than 100 days. Arnaud Boissières – with the same boat as Alessandro – finished 7th in 105d 02h.
If he had attended one of the first six editions – even if it’s difficult to compare these periods – Alessandro Di Benedetto would have been ranked between the 1st and the 7th place. Also note that the skipper of Team Plastique has done better than its two predecessors at the helm of Finot-Conq.