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, fresh out of architecture school, joined the group in 1985. The firm gradually relocated to Vannes starting in 2000, then to the outer harbor in 2005. In 2009, Finot-Conq SARL was established to succeed Finot Group in yacht, cruising, and racing design. In fall 2024, Pascal Conq stepped down in favor of David de Prémorel, an aerodynamic engineer who had been part of the Vannes-based team since its relocation.
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 (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 sailboat lines (Oceanis and First ranges). Over 25,000 Finot and Finot-Conq designs were built by Bénéteau between 1977 and 2019. In 1990, the firm created the Figaro Bénéteau one-design, 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 carbon fast cruisers built in Germany by 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, FC53 evolution, 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
