Sébastien MARSSET

IMOCA Globe Series51th
Points58.50 pts
Age40 (12/15/84)
Top performance11th in the last Route du Rhum, first IMOCA with daggerboards
Joined Imoca on2019
TeamCap Agir Ensemble
BasePort-La-Forêt (FRANCE)
PartnersFoussier, Mon Courtier Energie
CommitmentCap pour Agir

Profile

Single-handed, double-handed, crewed, across the Atlantic or around the world... At the age of 39, Sébastien Marsset is one of those all-round skippers, renowned for his ability to shine both at the head of his own project and as a first-rate crew member on prestigious teams.

In just over ten years, he has gone from his first transatlantic race in a Mini (a 6.50 m sailboat) to a round-the-world record aboard Spindrift, a 40-meter trimaran. He has competed in two Volvo Ocean Races and took part in the 2019 Transat Jacques Vabre in an IMOCA alongside Romain Attanasio.

Versatile on the water, Sébastien is just as dedicated on land. He applies the same discipline to his physical preparation as he does to studying weather patterns, and he approaches the technical management of his projects with as much enthusiasm as he does his relationships with sponsors. Married and a father of two, he set himself a clear goal: to be on the starting line of the 2024 Vendée Globe.

For the skipper of the IMOCA Foussier, simply making it to the start of the Vendée Globe 2024 was already an achievement. Between financial struggles and a small but devoted team working tirelessly to bring his project to life, every step toward this solo round-the-world race was a battle.

His preparation had been far from smooth. Forced to abandon the Transat CIC 2024—a key qualifying race—he had to redouble his efforts to secure his place at the start. And once at sea, the challenges kept coming. A torn gennaker slowed his progress, depriving him of a crucial sail for downwind conditions. Then, just days before reaching Les Sables-d’Olonne, a motor failure added one final hurdle to an already demanding journey.

Despite it all, Sébastien Marsset persevered and crossed the finish line in 27th place.

On the occasion of The Ocean Race Europe, Scott Shawyer called on Sébastien Marsset to join his crew for all stages of the race.

Sailing Highlights

2025 : The Ocean Race Europe - 6th
2025 : Rolex Fastnet Race - ABANDON
2024-2025 : Vendée Globe - 27th
2024 : The Transat CIC - Abandon
2023 : Retour à La Base - 21th
2023 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 27th
2023 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 26th
2023 : Rolex Fastnet Race - 21th
2022 : Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - 11th
2022 : Vendée Arctique - 15th
2022 : 1000 Race - 13th
2021 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 7th
2021 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 9th
2021 : Rolex Fastnet Race - 6th
2019 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 15th
2019 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 19th
Other highlights

2019: Solitaire Urgo le Figaro - 14th
2018: Route du Rhum – ABD
2019: Drheam Cup - 7th
2016: World Tour with Spindrift in 47days  
2014-2015: Volvo Ocean Race (Alvimedica) 
2011-2012: Volvo Ocean Race (Groupama 4) - 1st
2007: Mini Transat 6.50 

Boat

Name CANADA OCEAN RACING - BE WATER POSITIVE
Sail numberCAN 80
ArchitectGuillaume Verdier
Construction2021, CDK Technologies
Former names11TH HOUR RACING TEAM - MĀLAMA, GROUPE DUBREUIL
Length18,28m
Beam5,85m
Draught4,50m
Weight9 tonnes
Mast height29m
Mast typeWing mast
FoilsYes
Sail area max.
UpwindNC
DownwindNC
© Jean-Marie Liot / Alea
© Jean-Louis Carli / IMOCA
© Jean-Louis Carli