‘Class Dismissed!’

Michel Desjoyeaux validated his nickname, "The Professor," when he arrived in Les Sables d’Olonne Sunday afternoon, having won the 2008-2009 Vendée Globe in a new record time of 84d, 3h, 9m. Desjoyeaux made up a nearly two-day delay after returning to LSD to repair his engine, which took a bath shortly after the November 13 start. Then, not only did he storm to the head of the fleet from 670 miles back, he did it while the fleet was still in the Indian Ocean. By the finish, his lead was 1,000 miles over his next closest competitior. All of that would be remarkable enough in and of itself, but remember, there were 20 brand-new IMOCA 60s built for this race, and the field was deeper than ever. This is Desjoyeaux’s second Vendée Globe win, making him the only person to have won it twice. In the words of Wayne and Garth: "We’re not worthy, we’re not worthy . . ."