After gaining experience on the Figaro circuit in 2008, François Gabart won the 2012–2013 Vendée Globe at the age of 29. He confirmed his talent the following year by triumphing in the Route du Rhum. Starting in 2015, he moved up to a new dimension, dedicating himself to the Ultim class — giant 32-meter trimarans. At the helm of the Trimaran Macif, he collected numerous victories (Transat Jacques Vabre, Transat Anglaise, The Bridge, etc.) and, in 2017, shattered the solo round-the-world record (Saint Exupéry Trophy) in 42 days, 16 hours, 40 minutes and 35 seconds.
The year 2020 marked a turning point for the skipper. The Macif Ultim program came to an end, but the sponsor decided to continue by funding the construction of a new boat. The assembly of this giant trimaran took place in Concarneau, carried out by MerConcept, the company François Gabart founded in 2006. Driven by a desire to give deeper meaning to his challenges, the sailor—deeply committed to protecting his element, the ocean—set out in search of a new partner capable of supporting a purpose-driven sponsorship.
In May 2021, the French cosmetics group Kresk joined forces with François Gabart, skipper of his new trimaran SVR Lazartigue. Deeply sensitive to environmental issues and determined to make tomorrow’s maritime world more sustainable, the sailor-entrepreneur supports his new partner—already a pioneer in more responsible cosmetics—in its sustainability efforts. Kresk strengthened its actions and investments in ocean protection by creating the Kresk 4 Oceans endowment fund. In November 2021, François Gabart returned to sea aboard his brand-new trimaran SVR Lazartigue, claiming second place in the Transat Jacques Vabre (Ultim class).
Today, François Gabart is also a committed entrepreneur. Since becoming a purpose-driven company in 2020, MerConcept and its 80 employees have been designing and developing high-performance boats while striving to ensure that innovation and advanced technologies contribute to reducing the environmental impact of maritime mobility.
Record of Achievements
2023 – Winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race with Tom Laperche on SVR-Lazartigue in 1 d 8 h 38 min 27 s, setting a new record on the Cowes–Cherbourg course
2023 – 2nd in the Transat Jacques Vabre with Tom Laperche in the Ultim class on SVR-Lazartigue, in 14 d 15 h 5 min 55 s
2022 – 2nd in the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe in the Ultim class on SVR-Lazartigue, in 6 d 23 h 3 min 15 s
2021 – 2nd in the Transat Jacques Vabre with Tom Laperche in the Ultim class on SVR-Lazartigue, in 16 d 9 h 46 min 11 s
2019 – 2nd in the Brest Atlantiques with Gwénolé Gahinet on the trimaran Macif, in 31 d 20 h 43 min 50 s
2019 – 2nd in the Rolex Fastnet Race in crewed mode on the trimaran Macif, in 1 d 4 h 3 min 3 s
2018 – 2nd in the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe on Macif, 7 min 8 s behind the winner (Francis Joyon), in 7 d 14 h 28 min 55 s
2017 – Solo round-the-world record in 42 d 16 h 40 min 35 s
2017 – Winner of The Bridge in crewed mode aboard the trimaran Macif in 8 d 31 min 20 s
2017 – Winner of the Armen Race Uship in crewed mode aboard the trimaran Macif
2016 – Winner of the Transat Anglaise aboard the trimaran Macif in 8 d 8 h 54 min 39 s
2015 – Winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre with Pascal Bidégorry on the trimaran Macif in 12d 17h 29min 27s
2014 – Winner of the Route du Rhum aboard the 60-foot IMOCA Macif (new record in 12d 4h 38min 55s)
2013 – Winner of the 2012–2013 Vendée Globe aboard the 60-foot IMOCA Macif (new record in 78d 2h 16min 40s)
2013 – Winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre in double-handed mode with Michel Desjoyeaux aboard the 60-foot IMOCA Macif
2013 – Winner of the Artemis Challenge in double-handed mode with Michel Desjoyeaux aboard the 60-foot IMOCA Macif
2013 – IMOCA World Champion