Antoine KOCH

After training as a mechanical engineer in Compiègne, Antoine Koch completed a training course in naval architecture in Southampton and began ocean racing.

At the age of 20, he took part in his first Solitaire du Figaro and finished 3rd rookie. He continued to race until he acquired an IMOCA boat at the age of 24, with the Route du Rhum 2022 as his goal. He then set sail on his L'Héautontimoroumenos in difficult weather conditions. He finished in 5th place after a very good race. He then went on to complete a series of seasons as skipper or co-skipper, both single-handed and crewed, in monohulls and multihulls.

He also supported Jean-Yves Bernot, router-navigator, during Michel Desjoyeaux's victory in The Transat 2004. Invited to the opening race of the Multi Cup 60', the youngest trimaran skipper is focused on the Route du Rhum 2006 and his participation is perfectly in line with his methodical programme of preparation for this solo transatlantic race. At the age of 27, he is one of the most promising sailors of his generation. He took the helm of the Sopra Group trimaran for the 2006 Route du Rhum, a race he finished in 9th place.

Oscillating between sailing in Figaros or multihulls and his job as an engineer, it is in 2019 that he returns to IMOCA alongside Thomas Ruyant. Having participated in the construction of LinkedOut, he took part in the Transat Jacques Vabre with the skipper from Dunkirk, a race that the duo finished in 4th position.

He returns in 2023, on the same 60-foot boat, but this time with Sam Goodchild as skipper, for the season's double-handed races.