Between the lakes of the Paris region, where he was born, and the coast of Brittany, Paul Meilhat began sailing at a very early age, first in an Olympic dinghy and then in a Figaro. When he entered the IMOCA class in 2015, he was already one of the most promising racers of his generation. On this circuit, he has enjoyed some resounding successes: his victory in the Route du Rhum 2018, podium finishes in the Transat Jacques Vabre, and his IMOCA World Champion title in 2021. More painful experiences, such as his abandonment in the middle of the Pacific in the 2016 Vendée Globe, when he was in 3rd place, or a helicopter rescue north of the Azores, will also help to shape his experience as a sailor. After a few years as a luxury co-skipper with Charlie Dalin and Sam Davies, he launched his own project in 2022. At the helm of the IMOCA Biotherm, he will be setting off on his 2nd Vendée Globe, with high ambitions.
Profile
Achievements
Biotherm
- Architect : Guillaume Verdier
- Construction : 2022, Persico Marine
- Launch date : 31 Août 2022
- Lenght : 18,28 m
- Beam : 5,4 m
- Draught : 4,5 m
- Weight : 8 t
- Mast height : 29 m
- Upwind sail area : 260 m2
- Downwind sail area : 600 m2
Founded on the discovery of the regenerative properties of Plankton of Life, Biotherm, an expert skincare brand, takes its effectiveness from bioscience with highly effective and sensorial formulas, for a visibly full of life skin. Coming from the water, the brand takes action to protect aquatic biodiversity. It has joined forces with Paul Meilhat and the Tara Océan Foundation to conduct a research programme aboard the IMOCA Biotherm. « Bio » means life, « Therm » means source. Biotherm is committed to being the source of a better life for skin, body, mind and ocean.
Commitment
Paul Meilhat has never compromised his strong social and environmental convictions, which he has always defended as hard as his place in the rankings, alongside Biotherm in partnership with the Tara Ocean Foundation, for whom he will be collecting data via an onboard microscope, and the Echappée bleue, created in 2010 in collaboration with Surfrider, which introduces children who can't go on holiday to sailing while teaching them how to respect the environment.
