Jean-Baptiste DARAMY

From an early age, JB gained experience across a range of dinghy classes, from the Optimist and 420 to the Hobie Cat 16. He then discovered the world of offshore racing projects while working on Didier Munduteguy's IMOCA campaign. Countless hours spent following the world's greatest offshore races only deepened his passion, leading him to compete in the Tour de France à la Voile before earning a Master's degree in Composite Materials in Lorient.

At the end of 2005, JB turned his passion into a profession by joining Antoine Koch's team as Technical Project Coordinator for offshore racing campaigns, with the 2006 Route du Rhum as his first major challenge.

Alongside his professional career, he built his own Mini 6.50, hull No. 814, from plans designed by Étienne Bertrand. The project culminated in 2011 when he completed his first Mini Transat, racing solo across the Atlantic to Salvador de Bahia.

That same year, he joined COMPOSITADOUR in the French Basque Country, where he has led research and development projects in advanced composite materials, primarily for the aerospace industry.

In 2015, JB lined up for his second Mini Transat. The opening leg was dramatically affected when he lost a rudder, yet he still managed to finish an impressive 10th despite the handicap. After completing repairs during the stopover, he returned to the race and finished the second leg in an outstanding 7th place into Pointe-à-Pitre.

The year 2018 marked a major milestone as he stepped up to the Class40 fleet aboard No. 109 and competed in his first Route du Rhum. Held in particularly demanding conditions, the race was defined by a succession of weather fronts and heavy seas. JB crossed the finish line in a commendable 10th place in the edition won by Yoann Richomme. Barely ashore, he revealed his next ambition during a post-race interview: the Vendée Globe.

In 2019, he continued his Class40 campaign by competing in the Transat Jacques Vabre aboard the same boat.

In 2025, Manu Cousin gave JB his first opportunity to race an IMOCA, inviting him to join as co-skipper for the Transat Café L'Or. The experience confirmed what he had long suspected: the next chapter of his offshore racing career would be written in the IMOCA class.

In May 2026, JB reached another major milestone by acquiring IMOCA Gitana 80, a yacht with an exceptional pedigree that has previously been raced by Loïck Peyron, Jean Le Cam and Romain Attanasio. His immediate objective is the 2026 Route du Rhum. As for the dream that has driven him since the age of nine... you already know the answer: the 2028 Vendée Globe.