Skipper NameArmel Le Cléac’h (086pts)

About the Skipper

At the age of just 33, Armel Le Cléac’h has really impressed: with a long list of successes, he has built a reputation as someone who is determined to win. Hard working and methodical, the sailor from St. Pol de Léon always seems relaxed and smiling: these qualities have enabled him to achieve great success in the world of sailing and he is now one of the most respected skippers in the circuit. He grew up as a child sailing around Morlaix Bay, and soon became passionate about this sport, so early entered races aboard an Optimist, when he was just nine. After that, he joined the Finistère team, made a name for himself and moved on to 420s and Figaro boats.

Armel Le Cléac’h decided to become a professional skipper in 1999, after winning the Crédit Agricole Junior Challenge. He dedicated his time to solo racing and the Figaro circuit finishing second in the Solitaire du Figaro in the following year. He would go on to win twice (2003 and 2010). In 2004, he won with his friend Nicolas Troussel the seventh edition of the Transat AG2R. These results led Alain Gautier to contact him to replace him on the Foncia trimaran until late 2005. He moved to the ORMA circuit. But the 2005 Transat Jacques Vabre would not be his finest moment, as he capsized off Brittany.

In 2006, this demanding and enthusiastic racer moved to IMOCA monohulls. He finished fourth in the 2006 Route du Rhum 2006 and second in the last Vendée Globe aboard Brit Air.A remarkable performance for this newcomer to round the world racing.

He is now the skipper of Banque Populaire and definitely one of the front-runners of the forthcoming Vendée Globe.

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