The rising star
François Gabart will only be 29, when he crosses the starting line in his first Vendée Globe. Everything has happened very quickly for this qualified engineer, who has been passionate about sailing ever since he was a child. 2010 was a very big year for him: French solo ocean racing champion, he was chosen by Michel Desjoyeaux to race in the Barcelona World Race, the double-handed round the world race. Aware that they had found a nugget, the Macif Group announced they would be backing him for his own IMOCA project leading up to the 2012 Vendée Globe. François Gabart is seeing his wildest dreams come true.

This association is however not down to a few chance encounters, as in spite of his age, François has already built up a lot of experience and has shown on numerous occasions the strength of his talent, in particular in the Figaro circuit. Aboard the 60-foot IMOCA, his first attempt at double-handed sailing with Michel Desjoyeaux unfortunately ended much too soon, as they were forced to retire shortly after passing the Cape of Good Hope and entering the southern ocean. A friendly sailor, who is meticulous, he is dreaming of going all the way in the next Vendée Globe. Fourth in the 2011 Transat Jacques Vabre, François Gabart then went on to win his first major solo IMOCA race, the Transat BtoB . Clearly, we are going to have to take the rising star very seriously, as he may well shine on his first attempt in the non-stop solo round the world race just like Jean Le Cam in 2000 and Armel le Cléac’h in 2008.

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