Winner of the first edition of the transatlantic race, in 1978, with only 98 seconds ahead of the second, he died on Wednesday at the age of 90.
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Her glorious arrival in Pointe-à-Pitre on November 28, 1978 marked the history of sailing. First winner of the Route du Rhum, Mike Birch died at his home in Brec’h (Morbihan), at the age of 90, his family announced to AFP on Wednesday October 26. “He had been diminished for several months. He died very slowly that night, in his sleep”said his wife, France Birch.
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The Canadian had written one of the most memorable pages in the sport by winning the race with only 98 seconds ahead of Michel Malinovsky, whom he had caught at the end of the course. Then, he had taken part in all the editions of the transatlantic race alone until 2002, the year of his last participation (the 7th in total), at 67 years old.