Skipper NameJean Le Cam (000pts)

About the Skipper

One of the leading lights at the training centre known as the Crazy Valley in Southern Finistère, Jean Le Cam is the perfect example of an enthusiastic sailor and good all-rounder. Going from one type of boat to another, he has built up an amazing list of successes. His passion for ocean racing dates back to his early childhood, as he first sailed shortly after learning to walk. From canoeing to lateen sails, Jean moved to dinghies, enjoyed racing and soon really got a thirst for it. As a teenager, he went on all the family cruises. On the deck of his father’s Armagnac, he encountered Hubert Desjoyeaux, with whom he would set up the CDK yard in the mid-eighties.

It was alongside Eric Tabarly on Pen Duick VI, that Jean Le Cam made his entry into the elite circle of ocean racers, although he had already begun his solo career racing in particular in the Aurore Race, which would become the Solitaire du Figaro. Jean Le Cam would win this event three times, equalling Philippe Poupon’s record. A speed enthusiast, Le Cam gained a lot of experience on multihulls. He was one of the pioneers in the Formula 40 circuit, after smashing the North Atlantic record aboard the catamaran Jet Services, alongside Serge Madec, Patrick Morvan and Marc Guillemot.

Jean Le Cam entered the IMOCA circuit in 2004. Aboard the Lombard-designed VM Matériaux, he would repeatedly be up there on the podium. He finished second in the 2004-2005 Vendée Globe and third in the 2005Transat Jacques Vabre 2005 and the 2006 Route du Rhum after a very close battle with Roland Jourdain. After that, there as a series of great results in the 2007 and 2008 seasons. When taking part in the 2008-2009 Vendée Globe, Jean Le Cam capsized, as he was about to round the Horn in third place. He would be rescued by Vincent Riou, but his VM Matériaux was lost.

The Breton skipper returned to the IMOCA circuit in the second edition of the Barcelona World Race where he set off alongside the Spaniard Bruno Garcia, aboard Mike Golding’s former Ecover III. Unfortunately both sailors were forced to retire from the race following the dismasting of President.

He will be at the start of the forthcoming Vendée Globe with former Gitana 80 now called Synerciel!

- 2010: Retired from the Barcelona World Race

- 2008-2009 : Retired from the Vendée Globe
- 2008 : 2nd in the SNSM Record  
- 2007 : 4th in the Transat Jacques Vabre, 3rd in the Calais Round Britain
- 2006 : FICO World Champion, 2nd in the 2006 Route du Rhum
- 2005 : 3rd in the Transat Jacques Vabre
- 2004-2005 : 2nd in the Vendée Globe
- 2004 : Winner of the Calais 1000 miles (60’ Imoca)
- 1999 : Winner of the Solitaire du Figaro
- 1996 : Winner of the Solitaire du Figaro
- 1994 : Winner of the Transat AG2R, Winner of the Solitaire du Figaro
- 1991 : Winner of the Europe Race
- 1988 and 1989 : Formula 40 world champion
- 1984 : Winner of the Columbus Route
- 1982 : North Atlantic record on Jet Services II with Patrick Morvan