Michel Desjoyeaux 'The Professor'

Michel Desjoyeaux, referred to as Mich Desj but nicknamed 'The Professor', was born in1965 and is married with 3 children. His father was one of the founders of the famous Glénan sailing school and ran a boatyard for the maintenance and winter storage of sailboats, introducing Mich Desj to sailing at a very early age.

Desjoyeaux has spent a lifetime preparing to be a professional sailor. After obtaining his A-Levels, Michel carried out his Military Service at the Joinville battalion, improved his knowledge of weather forecasting at Hyères and took a beginner's course in computer studies. When he was eighteen, he sailed on 'Pen-Duick VI' following the Figaro Solo race. As a crewman he proved himself more than ready and, having won Eric Tabarly's confidence, was hired for the Whitbread Round the World race as crew on 'Côte d'Or' (1985-1986).

Michel 2000 an Kap Hoorn

The same year, he took part in the Tour de l'Europe with Philippe Jeantot on 'Crédit Agricole' and in 1990, he co-skippered with Jean Maurel in the Twostar, which they won. Michel raced in Formula 40 regattas, took part in the Tour Voile and embarked on an annual adventure in the renowned 'Solitaire du Figaro' race. In 1992, after skippering 'Elf' for two years, he won the 'Solitaire du Figaro' and followed that up with victory (with Jacques Caraes on 'Sill Plein Fruit-France 3 Ouest'), in the AG2R Transatlantic race.

In the meantime, he pioneered the swing keel, which is now standard on racing monohulls. Michel Desjoyeaux then set off to sea again, taking part in the Whitbread on 'La Poste' (1993), and then joining Alain Thébault on his flying boat 'L'Hydroptère'. He has since spent well over a year preparing for the Vendée Globe.

Michel Desjoyeaux finished 7th in the 2000 Europe 1 New Man STAR, but was hampered by a dismasting on his Open 60, PRB, just 2 weeks before the start of the race, and said he was in more of a 'delivery' mode, rather than flat out racing. He wasn't keen to push the boat too hard, as it was his qualifying sail for the 2000 Vendée Globe.