Vendée Globe

Nationality : French Lives in La Forêt Fouesnant Age : born on the 27th April 1959 Situation : Married, two children Vendée Globe achievements First time he has taken part in the Vendée Globe Web Site http://www.bonduelle-voile.com

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King Jean

 With twenty years of racing behind him on various types of boat from ocean racing multihulls to Figaros, Formula 40’s and all sorts of record breakers, he has acquired what it takes to be a great sailor and has lost none of the gut instinct to continue to want to sail, going faster and further… « Swallow up the miles until the hunger vanishes » could well be Jean Le Cam’s credo. He never ceases to claim that ocean racing is the best school, and today can be included in the list of those, who have covered the most miles. But, while the oceans are his kingdom, King Jean – crowned when he won his third Figaro single-handed event (a record he shares with Philippe Poupon) – contrary to many of his fellow seamen, has never until now competed in the Queen of ocean races, the Vendée Globe. That seems incredible given the fact that this event seems perfect for him! Having worked hard for such a long time to get ready and having got hold of one of the latest 60-foot monohulls, which lives up to his yachting experience, it is certainly no surprise therefore to see Jean Le Cam lining up at the start today. Everyone understands the extent to which he is a serious contender, capable of some brilliant moments.

From Tabarly’s school
When he was small, it was aboard a canoe with a Latin sail up and two dinghies that Jean learnt to master the currents and wind direction. He did not spend much time in sailing schools, but discovered racing competitions and soon got hooked, first aboard a Vaurien, then in a 420. At the age of 13, he was completely taken with sailing and spent most of his time aboard Mervent, the family’s Armagnac, which he still takes care of today. When it was time to do his military service, the idea of leaving his boat behind to be stuck in barracks was something he could not face. Without feeling any embarrassment, he went and knocked on Eric Tabarly’s door, when he was getting ready for a race around the world. They set out together on the Whitbread aboard "Pen Duick VI". From this circumnavigation alongside the man, who would help the French discover ocean racing, Jean Le Cam has always kept in mind a certain idea about how to sail, always questioning yourself and looking for something new.

Just like Tabarly, Jean Le Cam also is full of paradoxes. The quiet, shy one is also the ideal person to talk to because of his expertise in many areas. Many of those, who know him well have said to what extent you have to accept the value of his comments. Jean Le Cam knows how to adapt to the most daring projects and how he can contribute to them. Thus, he was behind the setting up of the CDK shipyard, which is now a reference in the area of composite construction, and was involved in the development of the Hydropter, the craft, which Alain Thébault plans to fly one day above the water.

The Le Cam method
During the preparations for the Vendée Globe, Jean once again adopted the technique of questioning his technical teams, the shipyards and designers. This method can sometimes be hard to put up with, but everyone agrees it is this, which has enabled the project to get so far. His new Bonduelle, which he worked on with Roland Jourdain, his old mate from the Vallée des Fous, who will become his rival at the helm of Sill and Véolia during the race around the three capes, looks just great. Sharing experiences, working together to advance more quickly and giving yourself the necessary means are all part of the Le Cam method. Le Cam has made top-level ocean racing his great speciality.

The results are there to be seen and speak for themselves : the Atlantic record, two world champion Formula 40 titles , two wins across the Atlantic and a long list of successes. Jean Le Cam’s achievements will make many dream. He just admits that after twenty years of racing, it would be hell if he did not win from time to time. But that’s King Jean talking!

2004 - Aboard the Bonduelle monohull The Calais 1000-mile race: 1st
2003 - Aboard the Bonduelle multihull Mondial Assistance Challenge: 3rd
2002 - Aboard the Bonduelle multihull Lighthouse Race (Route des Phares) : 2nd
2001 - Aboard the Bonduelle multihull Italian Grand Prix : 1st
Transat Jacques Vabre : 4th
1999 - Figaro single-handed event : 1 st
1996 - AG2R Transatlantic pair race (with Florence Arthaud) : 2nd
Figaro single-handed event : 1 st
1994 - AG2R Transatlantic pair race (with Roland Jourdain) : 1 st
Figaro single-handed event : 1 st
1991 - Europe Race (with Laurent Bourgnon) : 1 st
1988-1989 - Formula 40 world championships: 1 st
1984 - Discoverers’ route (Route de la Découverte) (with Philippe Poupon) : 1 st

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