François Gabart got a taste for the sea at a very young age when he embarked with his family for a sabbatical year of sailing in the Atlantic. He pursued engineering studies, but his heart was not in it. In parallel, he embarked on a racing career on the Olympic circuit where he won several international titles. In two years on the Bénéteau Figaro circuit, he already made a name for himself! He obtained the title "Espoir Région Bretagne" in 2008-2009 and won the "bizuth" classification of the Solitaire du Figaro in 2008.
Other achievements are added to his name: he finished 3 e of the Cap Istanbul in 2008 and the Transat BPE 2009, he won the 3rd e place in the French Ocean Racing Championship, the 2nd e place in the Transat Jacques Vabre with Kito de Pavant, in 2009. In 2010, he finished in 2nd place e place behind Armel Le Cléac'h in the Solitaire du Figaro, won the Cap Istanbul and was named French Ocean Racing Champion. In 2012-2013, he was second in the Europa Warm'Up, in 2013 he won the 2013 Azimuth Trophy with Michel Desjoyeaux and won the 2013 Rolex Fastnet Race with Michel Desjoyeaux.
After joining the Macif team, he convinced them to build a 60-foot monohull to participate in the 2013 Vendée Globe and the 2014 Route du Rhum. The Imoca was launched in August 2011 and won the Transat B to B in December 2011.
The youngest skipper to win the Vendée Globe
At the age of 29, François Gabart became the youngest and fastest winner of the Vendée Globe. For this first participation, he broke the record with 78 days 2 hours 16 minutes and 40 seconds, but also the title of World Champion in Imoca.
End of the Imoca program with Macif
The Route du Rhum will be François Gabart's last race aboard his 60-foot Imoca. A new page will be turned for the skipper and Macif, as they will be developing a 100-foot trimaran that will take part in the 2015-2019 ocean races. This new program will be based on solo records for the benefit of solidarity causes.
This edition of the Route du Rhum will be François Gabart's first participation in the legendary Transatlantic race. The man who led the fleet from the start is expected to arrive in Pointe-à-Pitre today as the winner of the Imoca class. He will even be ahead of a few latecomers in the Multi50 class.
