10 sailors to be decided
With the cancellation of many sporting events due to the health crisis that France has been going through since March 2020, the French Federation has decided to widen its selection to the last 10 years. French sailors have distinguished themselves in Olympic events as well as in offshore races, both in France and internationally.
Ten journalists have selected the 10 most influential sailors of the last ten years, representing sailing in all its diversity. On 17 December, a jury made up of women journalists, representatives of sports institutions, sportsmen and women, and the public (which counts for 2 votes) will select the sailor who will symbolise success over the last 10 years.
A word from the president of the FFVoile
"The year 2020 will remain a year apart because of the global pandemic. This very special context has forced us to rethink the election of the sailor of the year 2020. Several tricolour sportsmen and women have put in some superb performances this year, I'm thinking in particular of our women's windsurfers Charline Picon and Hélène Noesmen, but also Axel Mazella in Kiteboard or Armel Le Cléach who made a very fine Solitaire du Figaro. But the list was too short and we will remember their performances for 2021. To take advantage of this situation, we have therefore decided to honour the sailors of the decade 2010-2020. 10 years of incredible sailors, 10 of whose names have been selected by a college of journalists. I would like to thank them for playing the game with us. Now it's time for the public to vote, I hope that the public will be able to live up to the achievements of our 10 champions" explains Nicolas Hénard, president of the FFVoile.
The 10 finalist sailors
Antoine Albeau: Sailor of the Year 2010, 7 nominations
- Achievements of the last 10 years: 7 times PWA Slalom World Champion since 2010. Speed record in windsurfing with 53.27 knots obtained in 2015.
Billy Besson and Marie Riou : Sailors of the Year 2015, 3 nominations
- Achievements of the last 10 years: Four times Nacra World Champions17 - 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. 5th in the SailGP 2019. 2013 Formula 18 World Champion (Billy Besson). Winner of the Volvo Ocean Race 2018 (Marie Riou)
Franck Cammas: Sailor of the Year in 2012 and 2013, 4 nominations
- Top 10 years' track record: Winner of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012. Winner of the Route du Rhum 2010. Winner of the Brest Atlantique 2019. Winner of the Tour de France à la Voile 2013. Winner of the Petite Coupe de l'America in 2013. Crewed round-the-world record - Jules Verne Trophy established in 2010
Charles Caudrelier : Sailor of the Year 2018, 2 nominations
- Top 10 years' track record: Winner of the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-2018. Winner of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012. Winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre 2013. Winner of the Brest Atlantique 2019
Thomas Coville: Sailor of the Year 2017, 1 nomination
- Achievements of the last 10 years: Record of the Solo Round the World Race in 2016 in 49J 3H 7M. Winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre 2017. 2nd in the Transat Jacques Vabre 2015. Winner of the Volvo Ocean Race 2012. 3rd in the Route du Rhum 2010
François Gabart : 5 nominations for Sailor of the Year
- Top 10 years' track record: Holder of the solo round the world record established in 2017 in 42J 16H 40M 35 S. Winner of the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe. Winner of the 2014 Route du Rhum in Imoca. Winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre 2015. 2nd in the Route du Rhum 2018 in Ultime. 2nd in the Brest Atlantique 2019. Winner of the English Transat 2016.
Francis Joyon : 2 nominations for Sailor of the Year
- Achievements over the last 10 years: Crew Round the World Record holder - Jules Verne Trophy established in 2017 in 40J 23H 30M 30 S. Winner of the Route du Rhum 2018. 2nd in the Route du Rhum 2010. Record for the North Atlantic crossing under sail in 2017
Armel Le Cleac'h : 2 nominations for Sailor of the Year
- Top 10 years' track record: Winner of the 2016-2017 Vendée Globe, Winner of the 2010 and 2020 Solitaire du Figaro. Winner of the Transat Anglaise 2016. 2nd in the Transat Jacques Vabre 2015. 2nd in the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe. 3rd in the Transat Jacques Vabre 2011. Winner of the Transat AG2R 2010. 2nd in the Route du Rhum 2010 in Imoca.
Charline Picon: Sailor of the Year 2016, 2 nominations
- Achievements of the last 10 years: Olympic Champion in RS:X in 2016. Triple European Champion RS:X - 2013, 2014 and 2016. RS:X World Champion in 2014. Silver medallist at the World Championship in 2018. Bronze medallist at the World Championship in 2010.
Damien Seguin: 2 nominations for Marin of the Year
- Achievements of the last 10 years: Paralympic Champion in Rio in 2016. Triple World Champion - in 2012, 2015 and 2019. Winner of the Tour de France à la Voile in 2017. 2nd in the Transat Jacques Vabre in Class40 in 2010. 6th in the Route du Rhum 2018 in Imoca. 1st "handi" athlete to take part in the Vendée Globe.
