The skippers
Jeremie Beyou he discovered ocean racing at a very young age, thanks to his family and friends. He did not forget his studies, however, as he graduated from the ESC Bretagne. At the age of 18, he joined the French sailing team and finished on the national podium of the French Espoir Championship.
At the age of 20, he started his career in the Solitaire du Figaro, which revealed many sailors of his generation. And in 2002, five years later, he was crowned French Solo Offshore Racing Champion.
In 2005, he won all the events of the Figaro Bénéteau circuit, including the Solitaire du Figaro, and obtained a 2 e title of French Single-handed Ocean Racing Champion. He also received the title of ORMA World Champion on Banque Populaire.
In 2011, he won again the Solitaire du Figaro and won the Transat Jacques Vabre three months later, with Jean-Pierre Dick, on Virbac Paprec. In December, he received the Trophy of the Sportsman of the Year 2001 from the Brittany region, but also the title of Breton Sportsman of the Year, awarded by the Telegram.
In 2012, he participated in the Vendée Globe aboard Maître Coq, but was forced to abandon. In 2013, he relaunched his career on the Figaro Bénéteau circuit and won the 5 e place, after two years of absence. In 2014, he scored another victory in the Solitaire du Figaro, which allowed him to enter the very closed circle of three-time winners of the race, alongside Philippe Poupon, Michel Desjoyeaux and Jean Le Cam. The same year, he participated in the Route du Rhum and finished 2nd in the race.
In 15 years of career, he quickly made a name for himself in the world of ocean racing and took part in numerous races - Transat Jacques Vabre, Route du Rhum, Barcelona World Race - with the best: Michel Desjoyeaux, Jean-Pierre Dick, Vincent Riouâeuros¦
Philippe Legros is both a racer and a performance manager within the Maître Coq sailing team. An experienced and ambitious sailor, he is passionate about competition and has experience in both solo and crewed sailing.
After having done match-racing at a high level, Philippe Legros made his mark on the Diam 24 circuit with Erwan Tabarly. He also sailed offshore with a crew or tandem before working for several years in the sailmaking industry.
He has won three times the Spi Ouest France (1997/2008/2010), has completed 3 seasons of F18 (2009/2010/2011), was double French champion of First Class 8 in 1997, has participated in 5 Tour de France à la Voileâeuros¦ He has sailed on Formula 18, Melges 24, on 60 feet, or on MOD70.
The boat
Fifth creation of VPLP/Verdier, the monohull has already taken part in the Route du Rhum 2010, in the last Barcelona World Race in the hands of Michel Desjoyeaux. Since 2011, the boat has obtained many places of honor under the colors of Banque Populaire: 3rd in the Europa Warm'Up 2012, 3rd in the Transat Jacques Vabre, 2nd in the Transat B to B 2011 and of course 2nd in the last Vendée Globe this year.
Jérémie Beyou's new boat, the boat now bears the colors of Maître CoQ.
Technical specifications
| Class | Imoca |
| Sail number | FRA 19 |
| Old name of the boat | Foncia and Banque Populaire |
| Architect | VPLP-Verdier |
| Job site | CDK, JMV, Green Marine |
| Year of launch | 2010 |
| Length | 18,28 m |
| Width | 5,90 m |
| Draft | 4,50 m |
| Displacement (weight) | 7.8 tons |
| Number of drifts | 2 |
| Height matte | 27 m |
| Keel sail | Steel |
| Upwind sail area | 300 m2 |
| Sail area downwind | 660 m2 |
| Home port | Lorient |
| Source of energy production on board | Motor and hydro-generator |
Awards
| Race | Skippers | Running time | Ranking |
| Route du Rhum (02/11/2014) | Jeremie Beyou | 2d 12h 11' 18'' | 2 |
| Transat Jacques Vabre 2013 (07/11/2013) | Jeremie Beyou and Christophe Pratt | 17d 5h 15' 7'' | 3 |
| Rolex Fastnet Race (11/08/2013) | Jeremie Beyou and Christophe Pratt | 2d 19h 23' 16'' | 2 |
| Vendée Globe 2012-2013 (10/11/2012) | Armel Le Cléac'h | 78d 5h 33' 52'' | 2 |
| Armel Le Cléac'h | 3 | ||
| Transat B to B (05/12/2011) | Armel Le Cléac'h | 2 | |
| Transat Jacques Vabre 2011 (30/10/2011) | Armel Le Cléac'h | 3 | |
| Barcelona World Race (31/12/2010) | Michel Desjoyeaux | TDR | |
| Route du Rhum (31/10/2010) | Michel Desjoyeaux | 15d 17h 29' 4'' | 6 |
