The sea took charge of him when he was small and his parents put him aboard Pesk Avel for a sabbatical year on the Atlantic. Today, aboard the MACIF, propelled by Portuguese trade winds, he is living his dream and driving south as leader of the Vendée Globe.

As a battle-hardened navigator, he has built his dream "way point after way point": after studying in the High Level Sports Section at INSA Lyon thanks to a specially-organised timetable, he joined the MED Department (naturally, since sailing is “only” applied mechanics!). Yves Parlier, with whom Gabart was in contact, played a part in his education by suggesting, as a 4th year subject, the development of the “first 30-foot hydraplaner”. He then refined the subject in the Entrepreneurial Engineering section.

While still at school, he was world Tornado champion in an INSA Lyon boat financed by the SSHN (High Level Sports Section). He twice won the Tour de France sailing race in another INSA boat.

After obtaining his engineering diploma, he began to collect prizes and won his first single-handed transatlantic race with IMOCA in December 2011 (BtoB).
At only 29 years of age, he is already one of the great names in sailing.

INSA Lyon, and more particularly the MED Department, wish him “God Speed”: thanks to François, INSA Lyon has also made its round the world voyage.
N.B.: another INSA alumnus is taking part in the race in the person of Armel Le Cléac'h, a graduate of the High Level Sport Section at INSA in Rennes.

Video 2011 :