Six Vendée Globe, a new IMOCA without foils at age 65
Jean Le Cam, born on April 27, 1959 in Quimper, is the French racer with the most Vendée Globe participations still active: six editions, from 2004 to 2024. His2nd place in 2004–2005 on Bonduelle (behind Vincent Riou) remains his best result in the race. He also won the Solitaire du Figaro three times (1994, 1996, 1999) and the Barcelona World Race 2014–2015 with Bernard Stamm on Cheminées Poujoulat in 84 days, 5 hours and 50 minutes.
The scow without foils bet with Éric Bellion
For the Vendée Globe 2024–2025, Le Cam launched Tout commence en Finistère — Armor-lux, a new IMOCA designed by David Raison (the father of the scow in Mini then Class40), built by Persico Marine as a sistership to Stand As One by Éric Bellion. Spatulate bow, straight daggerboards, no foils. Combined budget announced at €5 million for two boats — this is the project’s central argument: pooling resources to lower the entry ticket for IMOCA.
The rescue of Kevin Escoffier (2020–2021)
On November 30, 2020, in the Southern Ocean, Kevin Escoffier’s IMOCA PRB broke in two. Le Cam, aboard Yes We Cam!, was diverted to pick up Escoffier from his liferaft. He finished 4th in the Vendée Globe 2020–2021 after a 16 hour 15 minute time compensation for the diversion. This was the rescue that changed the outcome of that edition.
Vendée Globe 2024–2025: 20th after two mast climbs
Le Cam crossed the finish line at Les Sables-d’Olonne on February 4, 2025 in 85 days, 15 hours and 51 minutes, after several breakdowns including a failure of the J2 forestay on January 14 and two solo mast climbs in the Southern Ocean. At 65, it was his sixth finish — still racing, without foils, on a boat he had positioned as a manifesto.
Palmarès
- Solitaire du Figaro: winner in 1994, 1996 and 1999.
- Vendée Globe 2004–2005: 2nd on Bonduelle, behind Vincent Riou.
- Vendée Globe 2008–2009: retired on VM Matériaux after capsizing near Cape Horn, rescued by Vincent Riou.
- Vendée Globe 2012–2013: 5th on SynerCiel.
- Transat Jacques Vabre 2013: winner in IMOCA with Vincent Riou on PRB.
- Barcelona World Race 2014–2015: winner with Bernard Stamm on Cheminées Poujoulat in 84 days, 5 hours and 50 minutes.
- IMOCA Ocean Masters World Champion 2013–2014 (second title, after that of 2006).
- Vendée Globe 2016–2017: 6th on Finistère Mer Vent.
- Vendée Globe 2020–2021: 4th on Yes We Cam!, after rescuing Kevin Escoffier (PRB) in the Southern Ocean (16 hour 15 minute time compensation).
- Vendée Globe 2024–2025: 20th on Tout commence en Finistère — Armor-lux in 85 days, 15 hours and 51 minutes, finishing on February 4, 2025 at Les Sables-d’Olonne.
