The architect behind the 4 consecutive IMOCA winners of the Vendée Globe (1993-2005)
From Finot (1970) to Finot-Conq (2009)
Jean-Marie Finot (1941-2025) opened his naval architecture firm in the Paris region in 1970. Pascal Conq, freshly graduated in architecture, joined the group in 1985. The firm gradually relocated to Vannes starting in 2000, then to the harbor front in 2005. The SARL Finot-Conq was established in 2009 to succeed the Finot group in yacht, cruising, and racing design. In fall 2024, Pascal Conq handed over to David de Prémorel, an aerodynamics engineer who had been part of the team since the Vannes-based operation.
4 consecutive Vendée Globe victories with IMOCA 60 designs
Present at the Vendée Globe since its first edition in 1989, Finot-Conq won four consecutive editions between 1992 and 2005:
- 1992-93: Alain Gautier on Bagages Supérior
- 1996-97: Christophe Auguin on Geodis
- 2000-01: Michel Desjoyeaux on PRB
- 2004-05: Vincent Riou on the same PRB (the only IMOCA to win two consecutive Vendée Globes)
The Bénéteau partnership and the Figaro Bénéteau
From 1977 onward, the firm designed most of the Bénéteau production sailboats (Oceanis and First ranges). Over 25,000 Finot and Finot-Conq units were built by Bénéteau between 1977 and 2019. In 1990, the firm designed the one-design Figaro Bénéteau, which became the benchmark boat for the Solitaire du Figaro for 13 years.
The FC53, FC56, FC70 fast cruiser range
Since the 2010s, Finot-Conq has adapted its IMOCA designs into custom-built carbon fast cruisers in Germany at Knierim Yachtbau:
- Nomad IV: 100-foot maxi built in Italy by Maxi Dolphin (2013)
- FC53: 53-foot carbon fast cruiser, reduced crew, displacement under 10.5 tonnes
- FC56: launched in 2021, evolution of the FC53, full carbon (hull, rigging, lifting keel)
- FC70 Basyc: 22 m launched in 2018
- Écume de Mer: early design (1970), winner of the Quarter Ton Cup 1970-72 and first "Boat of the Year" in 1975
