A man in a hurry

Yet another pure Morlaix Bay product, he grew up sailing Optimists with his family from a very tender age… but Jérémie Beyou gained experience too and learnt how to sail in the National Sailing school in Brest and discovered top level racing. By the age of 18, he was already up with the winners in the French Youth Dinghy Championships. At 19 years of age, in 1995, he discovered the Figaro Bénéteau. At twenty, he competed in his first Figaro single-handed event… In 1998, he reached the top ten in the French Ocean racing Championship and has never left it since then.

In 2005, the man in a hurry (in any case on the water!) towered over his opponents in the Figaro. Meticulous, precise, stubborn, he showed his full talent by winning an amazing Grand Slam: a win in the Generali Solo, a win in the Route du Ponant and of course above all, a stunning win in the Figaro single-handed event, at the end of a legendary final leg snatching victory from Michel Desjoyeaux in a nasty storm. From that moment on, it was only logical for Jérémie to show his talent in other races: as crewman aboard the Banque Populaire trimaran, by becoming a router during the Transat Jacques Vabre, before convincing his partner in 2008 to stand by him in the major single-handed event that is the Vendée Globe.

This first solo attempt around the world ended with him being forced to retire off Brazil. Since that frustrating experience, Jérémie has continued to how his wide range of skills and his ability to excel whether sailing solo or with a crew on one or more hulls. 2011 was an exceptional year: he entered the small circle of sailors to win the Solitaire du Figaro twice, and then won the 2011 Transat Jacques Vabre alongside Jean-Pierre Dick. But he is hoping to take part in his second Vendée Globe in 2012, with the aim of being up with the frontrunenrs. He is currently looking for partners.

Website: www.maitrecoq.fr