Skippers : Sébastien Josse

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Sébastien Josse

Nationality : French
Lives in Concarneau (Finistère, north-west France)
Age : born on the 31st March 1975 in Nice
Situation : Single
Vendée Globe achievements
First time he has taken part in the Vendée Globe
Web Site
http://www.vmi.fr

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Presentation

A new wave sailor

Josse is a genius at ocean racing. At the age of just thirty, this young sailor from southern France was first adopted by the Bretons in the Vallée des Fous, the area where all the great yachtsman come from (Desjoyeaux, Le Cam, Jourdain…). This was his first strong point. Then, there is no-one like him for creating a stir with an astonishing degree of calm, hence his rapid progress to the forefront of sailing. There was no prior warning that "Jojo" would one day join this little group of contenders for the non-stop round the world yacht race. But Seb is made of fine stuff and his persistent smile and inexhaustible good humour reflect an extraordinary character and deep determination. Undeniable qualities, which allowed him to carve out a name for himself on the Figaro circuit despite discovering sailing quite late in his career.

Full speed ahead
So everything started for him with the winning of the Crédit Agricole Selection – which is to sailing, what the Volant Elf is to Formula One. Sébastien was on his way up and at the helm of a Figaro Bénéteau made his way through the different classes and levels of single-handed racing. His skill and his competitive spirit did the rest gaining him his first rapid successes. Sébastien Josse was one of the rising stars in the circuit, obtaining a second place in 2001 in the single-handed Figaro event together with a win in the Round Corsica Race. It was a very promising start. Bruno Peyron, who was putting together his crew for his maxi multihull in the Jules Verne Trophy, made no mistake. He hired Sébastien, the youngest of his "dream team", who were all too pleased to become the fastest sailors in the world temporarily! And so Josse’s CV began to stretch out with this high-speed circumnavigation. The rest is history. Sébastien – now known for having his feet on the ground and his head out at sea - was chosen to take the helm of the Open 60 footer VMI, in which he will be competing in the Vendée Globe.

A new wave sailor, the youngest in this edition, he does not hide his pleasure in taking part in an exceptional adventure. He admits his great joy is to be alone at sea. He does not shy away from announcing his intention to be up there with the leaders. With so many motives, this should ensure him of a good trip at the helm of his 60-foot Open, which is practically two generations old, but has been improved considerably. Watch out, "Jojo", is well on his way and charging forwards!

Achievements

2004 - Aboard VMI The Transat : 8th
2003 - Aboard VMI Rolex Fastnet Race : 1st in the Open 60 class for monohulls
Transat Jacques Vabre : 5th with Isabelle Autissier
Calais Round Britain Race : 6th
Defi Atlantique (Qualification for the Vendée Globe) : 4th
2002 - Co-holder of the Jules Verne Trophy aboard the Orange I Maxi Catamaran skippered by Bruno Peyron in 64 days 8 hours 37 mins and 24 seconds

Route du Rhum : Retired after dismasting, aboard VMI
2001 - In the Figaro Bénéteau Championship: 2nd
Tour of Corsica: 1st with Erwan Tabarly
Solitaire du Figaro: 2nd
Tour de Bretagne: 3rd
Generali Mediterranee : 3rd
Banque Privée Européenne Trophy (Saint-Nazaire-Dakar) : 4th
2000 - French single-handed ocean racing championships: 5th
Route du Ponant : 1st
1999 - 4th in the first stage of the Mini Transat French single-handed ocean racing championships: 10th
1998 - 2nd newcomer in the Figaro single-handed event Winner of the French single-handed Young Hopefuls Championship
1997 - Winner of the Crédit Agricole single-handed Young Hopefuls Challenge