Michel Desjoyeaux "I'm still having just as much fun"

Class40

Départs | 20 October 2025 - 11h10

At the age of 60, the only two-time winner of the Vendée Globe, also winner of the TRANSAT CAFÉ L'OR Le Havre Normandie in 2007, is setting off on the race again. He has designed a Class40 (TrimControl), adding his own touch and vision, and is setting off across the Atlantic alongside Alexandre Le Gallais as co-skippers.

Meet the duo - Trimcontrol

How do you feel about diving back into the deep end of such a prestigious race?

I'm not far from making the leap. At 40, I was still sailing a 60-footer, and now, at 60, I'm going to sail a 40-footer! More seriously, I'm still enjoying it just as much. I'm still just as interested in sailing, in progressing, in finding new ideas... Even if that's not the case right now (laughs), we want to sail well. I have the same enthusiasm, and racing still continues to drives me!

How is your Class40 project different from the others?

It's still a Class40, in terms of the rules, but that didn't stop me from finding little things, optimizations, and ways of doing things that are a little different from the others. That was the real challenge of this project. I really enjoy everything related to technology and creativity. Since I didn't have any experience in the class, I tried to build the boat I imagined. There's still work to be done, but for a first time, we're not doing too badly!

Baptême Class40 Trimcontrol - Alexandre Le Gallais — © Jean Marie Liot / Alea

«On these boats, you can't be bored.»

You're teaming up with Alexandre Le Gallais. Basically, what's your goal?

If we make it to the other side, that'll be a big start! It's a great adventure; there are milestones to pass, and this transatlantic race will be one along the way. After that, the level is high, and there are plenty of contenders. It's a very eclectic class, with a very friendly lineup, including pure amateurs, like my co-skipper, and experienced sailors like Corentin Douguet and Fabien Delahaye. What's great is that everyone brings their own good humor and lightheartedness, making it a class where no one gets worked up. I feel good here!

What do you think of the abundance of contenders for victory in Class40?

It's true that there's a very strong field. I mentioned Corentin and Fabien, I can also mention Guillaume Pirouelle, Quentin Le Nabour... It's an intermediate category, where the costs are much lower than the IMOCA. Yet, the boats are demanding and hard to handle. Don't forget that we're going as fast as when I was at the helm of PRB in 2000! On these boats, you can't get bored!

Baptême Class40 Trimcontrol - Michel Desjoyeux — © Jean Marie Liot / Alea

What's your story with the Transat Café l'Or?

I've done five, but I didn't finish that many, as I retired three times. And then there was a victory too. It was in 2007 with Emmanuel Le Borgne on Foncia. We'd just had a season that was as amazing as it was explosive, winning almost everything.

Do you enjoy racing double-handed?

I like double-handed sailing as much as single-handed sailing and crewed sailing. But the advantage of double-handed sailing is having the benefits of a crew without the constraints. You can have a much more flexible way of operating. Above all, you don't have to manage everything like you do single-handed. We can help each other with maneuvers, decision-making is quick, you can adapt your pace to the machine and your current fitness level... It's really a racing format I like.

You remain very popular with the general public. How do you cope with that?

I sail with people who were born one or two generations after me, so I can blend in. Sometimes people look at me askance to see if it's really me. But I think you have to be humble and modest. We don't have the popularity of footballers and rugby players. Popularity has never been a motivator. What I want most is to fully enjoy being a fulfilled athlete, and that's who I am!

« The Opposite of Social Media »

What is your view of today's skippers?

There's an undeniable professionalization of sporting activity. Skippers are earning their living, and we can only be delighted. If I had one criticism, it's the fact that some have a somewhat sanitized approach, that they ultimately have little to say. After all, I know that's also part of the new generation's way of being. It just needs to be something for everyone!

For your part, you've decided to take a different approach to social media...

Yes, I've decided to bring together a club of old-school fans. It allows me to share with 70 or 80 people.people each step of the project, our preparation, our progress via a WhatsApp group... It's the opposite of social networks where some boast about having thousands of likes and followers: we reserve our words for a small number of people, it's a way of bringing the project to life in a smaller and more intimate dimension.

Interview coming soon on YouTube