Mike Birch entered the history of sailing at the age of 47 by winning the first Route du Rhum in 1978, with 98 seconds in advance.
Le Monde with AFP
The Canadian skipper Mike Birch, winner of the first edition of the Route du Rhum, died Wednesday October 26 at his home in Brec’h (Morbihan) at the age of 90, said his family.
“He had been decreased for several months. He died slowly this night in his sleep,” said France Birch, wife of the sailor. 2> 98 seconds in advance
Mike Birch entered the history of sailing at the age of 47 by winning the first Route du Rhum, in 1978, solo transatlantic race rallying Saint-Malo every four years (Ille-et-Vilaine ) in Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe).
On board a small 12-meter yellow multihull (Olympus), the Canadian had styled on the thread the powerful French monohull Michel Malinovsky to win with 98 seconds ahead only, after more than twenty-three racing days.