Born in Paris on November 26, 1979, Alexia Barrier grew up in Nice, where she discovered sailing at the age of three aboard her family’s yacht. A natural-born athlete, she tried her hand at basketball and freediving before turning wholeheartedly to the sea, all while pursuing studies in sports management (STAPS) at the University of Nice.
In 2005, she received support from Roxy for her first Mini Transat. This marked the beginning of a high-level sailing career, both solo and in double-handed or crewed races. She has competed in Figaro, Class40, IMOCA, Maxi yachts, and multihulls, sailing alongside renowned skippers such as Florence Arthaud, Peter Holmberg, Andy Beadworth, and Dennis Conner.
At 25, Alexia knew her future lay offshore. She began a series of major transatlantic crossings and ocean races: the Transat AG2R with Samantha Davies in 2006, the Route de l’Équateur with Florence Arthaud in 2007, the Maxi Transatlantic in 2011, and the Route du Rhum in 2018.
“In one decade, I’ve covered over 200,000 nautical miles and raced across the Atlantic 18 times, including 5 solo crossings.”
A committed sailor, Alexia founded 4myplanet in 2009, becoming the first woman to attempt a solo round-the-world voyage in the name of science aboard an IMOCA. During five months at sea and 20,000 miles sailed, she collected over one million data points on surface water for European ocean observation programs. More than 10,000 children — the kids 4myplanet — followed her adventure from France, Monaco, South Africa, Brazil, and New York.
On November 8, 2020, Alexia set off on the 2020–2021 Vendée Globe aboard her IMOCA 4myplanet. After 111 days at sea and a solo circumnavigation of the globe, she finished in 24th place.
After her round-the-world race, Alexia began to dream even bigger. She launched The Famous Project, which later became The Famous Project CIC. It brings together an international crew of exceptional women sailors, determined to break the Jules Verne Trophy record aboard the maxi-trimaran IDEC SPORT.
The goal is twofold: to break the legendary Jules Verne Trophy record with an all-female crew, and to leave a positive legacy for future generations.
RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENTS (selected)
2021 – Transat Jacques Vabre – 18th (Groupe Sétin)
2021 – Défi Azimut – Lorient Agglomération – RET (Groupe Sétin)
2020–21 – Vendée Globe – 24th (111d 17h 03m 44s)
2019 – Transat Jacques Vabre – 25th
2019 – Bermudes 1000 Race – 14th
2019 – Voiles de St Barth aboard SOJANA (Maxi 2)
2018 – Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe – 15th
2018 – Monaco Globe Series – 9th
2017 – Tour Voile – Pink Lady
2017 – Solitaire du Figaro – Rookie
2016 – Vice-European Champion – 6mJI Class
2015 – Tour Voile – Skipper 30 Corsaires
2014 – Transat AG2R-La Mondiale – 3rd
2013 – Voiles de St-Tropez – 4th
2013 – Voiles d’Antibes – 1st (8mJI Helen)
2012 – Yacht Club de France Trophy – 1st
2011 – Maxi Transatlantic, Farr 115 Sojana – 1st
2007 – Route de l’Équateur with Florence Arthaud – 2nd
2007 – Round Britain and Ireland Record – All-female crew
2006 – Transat AG2R – 12th with Sam Davies
2005 – Transat 6.50 – Proto ROXY
2003 – Women’s Match Racing Worlds – 3rd
2003 – European Women’s Match Racing Championship – 5th