Founder, MerConcept and winner of the Vendée Globe 2012

François Gabart

Professional skipper and committed entrepreneur, François Gabart won the 2012-13 Vendée Globe when he was only 29 years old. He is now involved in the protection of the oceans through the KRESK 4 OCEANS endowment fund.

He confirmed his talent by winning numerous major races such as the Route du Rhum (2014), the Transat Jacques Vabre (2015) and The Transat (2016). In 2017 he made history by smashing the solo round the world record (Trophée Saint Exupéry) in 42d 16h 40min 35s. 

In November 2021 François finished 2nd in the Transat Jacques Vabre on board his new trimaran SVR-LAZARTIGUE, designed in his company MerConcept. Founded in 2006, the sailor and entrepreneur’s company became a mission-based company in 2020. MerConcept and its 80 employees imagine and design high-performance boats and work to ensure that innovation and high technology play a role in reducing the environmental impact of maritime mobility. François Gabart is involved with his sponsor Kresk in the protection of the oceans through the KRESK 4 OCEANS endowment fund.