Charlie Dalin, a French sailor, revealed that he had been undergoing cancer treatment while sailing to victory in the Vendee Globe. He completed the solo around-the-world racing despite the diagnosis which came just months before it began.

Dalin, 41 years old, revealed that he had been diagnosed with a gastrointestinal tumour just months prior to the non-stop race. The race is considered one of sport's most challenging challenges.

I had a 15-centimetre tumour on my intestine. The tumour was removed in February but returned in April in another part of the body," Dalin said in an interview with L'Equipe ahead of the publication of his new book, "La Force du Destin", in which he describes his illness and treatments.

Dalin, a racer for MerConcept (the Concarneau based team founded Francois Gabart), said that he received immunotherapy throughout the race.

He said, "I was fortunate to tolerate the Vendee Globe treatment very well." "Continuing to do what i love helped me focus my attention on something else other than the cancer."

Dalin stated that he felt symptoms for the first time in 2023, during a training sailing. He immediately began treatment after undergoing emergency scans.

There's no logic in it. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I'm fit. Why me? "No reason, just bad luck," said he. "At first, you think it's an injustice. "Then you accept it."

He stated that he is still receiving medical treatment, but hoped to regain strength after losing around 10 kg. It's stabilized now, thank goodness. He said, "I just need to gain some muscle."

Macif, the sponsor of the sailor, has confirmed that it will continue to support him. Future plans are expected to be announced by October 13. The sailor may be able to attend the Transat Jacques-Vabre start later this month, but is currently focused on his recovery.

"Being at the beginning of the Vendee Globe was amazing. "A year ago, I was in the hospital and unsure of my life," he said. "Winning this felt like winning before." (Reporting and editing by Ros Russell.)

(source: Reuters)