Back in rhythm, Fastnet rounded
The face of the race changed within a few hours. After more than 24 hours trapped in a stubborn calm, the competitors in the 1000 Race found wind again last night, with a north-easterly flow setting in.
•••| Age | 36 (11/19/89) |
|---|---|
| Top performance | IMOCA Champion 2023 & 2025 |
| Joined Imoca on | 2011 |
| Team | MACIF SANTÉ PRÉVOYANCE |
| Base | Concarneau (FRANCE) |
| Partners | MACIF |
He was only 18 years old when the British sailor sailed down the famous channel in Les Sables d'Olonne with Mike Golding, who set off for his first Vendée Globe. It was then that he decided that one day he too would sail around the world single-handed on an IMOCA boat.
Sam Goodchild grew up on a boat with his family until the age of 7. Over the next twenty years, he specialized in offshore racing, competing both in crewed and solo events. In 2005, he joined the teams of Alex Thomson, and then Mike Golding, gaining solid experience alongside some of the best British sailors.
In 2010, he joined the Artemis Offshore Academy, a program designed to launch young British talents onto the Figaro circuit. He made his debut in this demanding class, while also exploring other racing platforms over the years: Class40, Ultim, Figaro, Ocean Fifty... It was with the Ocean Fifty class, and notably aboard the trimaran Leyton, that he truly made his mark, winning the Pro Sailing Tour 2021. During the last Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, he was forced to retire after injuring his back on the trimaran.
In 2023, Kevin Escoffier called him up to join The Ocean Race aboard Holcim-PRB. Sam participated in the first three legs, gaining valuable experience on the IMOCA boats. Just days after returning from Brazil, he launched his own IMOCA, "FOR THE PLANET", formerly LinkedOut, and began his first double-handed season alongside Antoine Koch. He delivered an impressive performance and went on to win the IMOCA Globe Series 2023, becoming the circuit champion.
At the start of 2024, TRRacing, which supports the projects of both Thomas Ruyant and Sam Goodchild, launched an impactful campaign with a strong message: "We are all vulnerable." To support this social and environmental cause, the two IMOCA boats were named "Vulnerable".
Under his new colors, Sam suffered a demasting during the New York - Vendée, just four months before the Vendée Globe start. Thanks to his team's quick response, a new mast was swiftly installed,
In 2025, Sam Goodchild was called up to replace Charlie Dalin on MACIF Santé Prévoyance during the Course des Caps. That same year, he took part in The Ocean Race Europe with Biotherm, which he won. These numerous victories in 2025 allowed him to finish as the winner of the 2025 IMOCA Globe Series!
Meanwhile, the MACIF team announced that Sam would be the team’s next skipper for 2026, and that they are building a new IMOCA in preparation for the 2028 Vendée Globe.
2022: Route du Rhum - Withdrew due to injury (Ocean Fifty)
2022: Dhream Cup - Winner (Ocean Fifty)
2022: 1000 milles des Sables - Winner (Ocean Fifty)
2022: Pro Sailing Tour - 2nd (Ocean Fifty)
2021: Pro Sailing Tour - Winner (Ocean Fifty)
2021: Transat Jacques Vabre - 3rd (Ocean Fifty)
2020: Dhream Cup - Winner (Figaro)
2020: Solo Maître Coq - 2nd (Figaro)
2019: Transat Jacques Vabre - 2nd (Class40)
2019: Rolex Fastnet Race - 3rd (Ultim)
2018: 1000 milles des Sables - 2nd (Class40)
2018: Route du Rhum - abandoned after dismasting (Class40)
2015: Transat Jacques Vabre - 7th
2014: Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race - 2nd (VOR65)
2014: La Solitaire du Figaro - 22nd
2013: La Solitaire du Figaro - 11th
2013: RORC Carabean 600 - Winner (Class40)
2013: Round Gotland Race - 2nd
2012: Normandy Channel Race - Winner
2012: La Solitaire du Figaro - 24th
2012: Transat AG2R - 12th
2012: Solo Figaro Massif Marine - 8th (Figaro)
2011: Tour of Brittany - 19th (Figaro)
2011: Solo Basse Normandie - 2nd (Figaro)
2011: La Solitaire du Figaro - 34th
2011: Leg 2 Global Ocean Race - Winner (Class40)
2011: Transat Jacques Vabre - Retired (Class40)
2011: La Transmanche - 3rd in the Figaro class
2010: Round Britain and Ireland Race - 16th (Figaro)
| Name | MACIF SANTÉ PRÉVOYANCE |
|---|---|
| Sail number | FRA 79 |
| Architect | Guillaume Verdier |
| Construction | 2022, CDK Technologies et MerConcept |
| Length | 18,28 m |
| Beam | 5,5 m |
| Draught | 4,5 m |
| Weight | 8 tons |
| Mast height | 29 m |
| Mast type | Wings mat |
| Foils | Yes |
| Sail area max. | |
| Upwind | 600 m² |
| Downwind | 255 m² |
The face of the race changed within a few hours. After more than 24 hours trapped in a stubborn calm, the competitors in the 1000 Race found wind again last night, with a north-easterly flow setting in.
•••The IMOCA Class returns to the racecourse today for the first time in 2026, with a small but high quality fleet of solo skippers taking on the fifth edition of the 1000 Race.
•••On Sunday 3rd May at midday local time., the IMOCA season shall kick off in Port-La-Forêt with the start of the 1000 Race. Seven skippers will line up to take on a demanding 1000nautical-mile course, stretching from the …
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