Originally from Versailles, but has since set up home in Brittany, Tanguy de Lamotte had his first sailing trips with his grandfather around St. Malo, before following a relatively classic sailing career, particularly in First Class 8. He saw boats and the sea as some sort of adventure and that still remains the case today, even if he has become a real competitor. Later on, he learnt a lot in the Tour de France sailing race, when this involved monohulls (JOD35 and M30s).

Like some other great sailors, Tanguy de Lamotte is also a boat designer, who qualified from Southampton. He discovered the Vendée Globe as a professional when helping Ellen MacArthur in the 2000 race and went on to do a wide range of things from big multihulls to small Mini monohulls. Fascinated by the technical aspects, Tanguy is also well known for building his own boats, particularly his Mini 6.50, and the Class 40 aboard which he won the first Solidaire du Chocolat.

In the last Vendée Globe, he was one of the public’s favourites. Firstly, because he was sailing for a good cause, supporting the Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque charity, which enables children around the world to undergo cardiac surgery… and also because he is an excellent communicator, able to win everyone over with his videos, which were emotional or hilarious. But Tanguy is much more than a champion air guitarist… For his second attempt at the Vendée Globe, he is changing boats and sailing a tried and tested one, which has undergone some major modifications (the former Akena Vérandas, and ex PRB). He will certainly wish to show off his racing ability. He took part in the 2015 Transat Jacques Vabre with another star from the Vendée Globe, the British sailor, Samantha Davies. His goal in the Vendée Globe is to sail around the world in less than 84 days, which was the time set by Desjoyeaux in 2009 on a boat that was identical to his new Initiatives-Coeur. It is an ambitious goal, but can be achieved.