Résidence : La Forêt Fouesnant (Finistère)- Age : 29
Boat : Macif
Vendée Globe Wins and Performances : First Vendée Globe

François Gabart, 29, is seen as one of the most gifted yachtsmen of his generation. He is a friendly and methodical skipper with a rigorous and scientific approach to his job, which does not prevent him from enjoying offshore racing with an enthusiastic freshness. Coming from Charente – a French department – he went sailing for over a year with his family when he was 7. It is a slice of his life which has left its mark on him. François started to build his career through Optimist races, Moth races and Olympics series.

During 12 years, he successfully combined studies and sailing and received an engineering degree from INSA (a French engineering school) in Lyon and won several international races, including two sailing Tour de France for students.

Single-handed offshore racing French national champion in 2010
From 2008, he performed well in the Figaro Bénéteau II class. Voted « Most talented young skipper in Brittany », he also finished forst in the « rookie » ranking of the Solitaire du Figaro. The following year, he won the 2010 Macif skipper trial and became the single-handed offshore racing French national champion under the colours of the insurance company. In December 2010, he moved from a Class to another since he won the 2011 B to B Transat and finished second in the 2012 Europa Warm’Up on the MACIF 60-foot yacht competing in the IMOCA tour.

Wins and Performances

2014 – 1st Route du Rhum
2012 – 1st Vendee Globe Race
2012 -2nd in the Europa Warm Up
2011 -Winner of the B to B Transat
4th Transat Jacques Vabre (S.Col)
Participated in Barcelona World Race (M.Desjoyeaux)
2010 – Single-handed offshore racing French national champion
Winner of the Istanbul Cape
2nd in the Solitaire du Figaro
2009 2nd in the Transat Jacques Vabre (K.de Pavant)
3rd in the single-handed offshore racing French national championship
3rd in the Transat BPE
2008 -3rd in the Istanbul Cape
Best rookie in the Solitaire du Figaro