Amélie Grassi is only 26 years old, but she already has a fine CV in the world of ocean racing. And yet, even though she was immersed in the world of ocean racing as a child, she almost went in other directions.
Amélie Grassi grew up in La Rochelle, by the sea, with parents who were passionate about sailing and regattas. Her mother, Sandrine Bertho, took the start of the Mini Transat in 2009, while her father, Olivier Grassi, participated in the 2010 Route du Rhum and the 2007 Transat Jacques Vabre. Quite the pedigree.
From a young age, Amélie followed in their footsteps, starting out in an Optimist before discovering regatta racing as a teenager. She then joined a sailing-focused sports-study high school in La Baule (Loire-Atlantique). After finishing high school, Amélie took a break from sailing to pursue her studies.
She completed a Master’s degree in Social Law between Nantes and Paris with passion and dedication. But the call of the sea proved stronger than anything else, and Amélie chose to prepare for the 2019 Mini Transat rather than pursue a traditional legal career.
Full of energy and determination, Amélie finished her studies in 2017 and threw herself heart and soul into her Mini Transat project. She bought a boat and joined the Lorient training center, where she crossed paths with none other than Loïck Peyron.
To her surprise, the famous sailor took her under his wing. With a recent boat and intense training, Amélie was aiming for a top result in the 2019 Mini Transat.
Since 2021, she has been the skipper of the Class40 La Boulangère Bio. During her winter refit period, she was called up by Paul Meilhat to take part in The Ocean Race, joining the crew for several legs.
At the end of 2023, after her participation in The Ocean Race aboard Biotherm, where the team finished 4th overall, Amélie Grassi took 13th place in the Transat Jacques Vabre in Class40 with Anne-Claire Le Berre.
In 2024, she entered The Transat CIC, finishing 7th in the solo race after 13 days at sea.
She also joined the crew of the Ultim trimaran SVR-Lazartigue alongside Tom Laperche for a Jules Verne Trophy record attempt.
In 2025, Amélie will reunite with Paul Meilhat to take part in The Ocean Race Europe aboard the IMOCA Biotherm.
2023: The Ocean Race - 4th on Biotherm
| Name | BIOTHERM |
|---|---|
| Sail number | FRA 2030 |
| Architect | Guillaume Verdier |
| Construction | 2022, Persico Marine |
| Length | 18,28 m |
| Beam | 5,4 m |
| Draught | 4,5 m |
| Weight | 8 tonnes |
| Mast height | 29 m |
| Mast type | Wing mast |
| Foils | Yes |
| Sail area max. | |
| Upwind | 260 m2 |
| Downwind | 600 m2 |
On 12 November 2028, from Les Sables d'Olonne, a new generation of sailors will set out to take on the most extreme challenge: sailing around the world, solo, non-stop and without assistance, on IMOCA 18-metre monohulls.…
•••The second edition of The Ocean Race Europe is now behind us – an event that produced compelling racing over seven hectic weeks on a course that circled Europe, from Kiel to Boka Bay in Montenegro, and with one clear win…
•••Spectacular Coastal Race in Boka Bay marks the end of The Ocean Race Europe
•••
