Benjamin DUTREUX

Benjamin Dutreux discovered sailing on the Île d’Yeu, first during family vacations, before settling there in 1999. After starting in sport catamarans, he moved into the Figaro class. In 2015, he stood out by becoming the first rookie in the French Elite Offshore Solo Championship. An entrepreneur at heart, he co-founded the boat renovation company Eole Performance with his brother.

In 2016, he became an ambassador for the Water Family - Du Flocon à la Vague association and integrated this cause into his sports projects.

The year 2019 marked a turning point in his career when he acquired the IMOCA Spirit of Yokoh IV, previously owned by Japanese sailor Kojiro Shiraishi. Alongside his loyal boat captain and now technical director Thomas Cardrin, Benjamin took the start of the 2019 Transat Jacques Vabre, finishing in 19th place. A major refit followed to prepare the boat for the 2020 Vendée Globe. Despite the age of the boat, launched in 2007, Dutreux surprised everyone by finishing 9th in the solo round-the-world race, even leading the race after Cape Finisterre on November 10.

In 2021, he stood out again in The Ocean Race Europe, where he was part of the Offshore Team Germany crew, which won the IMOCA class. Between stages, he acquired the IMOCA 11th Hour Racing from American Charlie Enright, which he took over after the 2021 Transat Jacques Vabre. Before that, he raced with Damien Seguin on Groupe Apicil, achieving 7th place in the Rolex Fastnet Race and 11th place in the Transat Jacques Vabre, finishing as the top IMOCA with straight keels.

In 2022, Benjamin took the helm of his IMOCA solo, finishing in the top 10 of the Route du Rhum. Just two months later, he joined The Ocean Race as the skipper of Guyot Environnement - Team Europe. Despite a series of setbacks, including a hull break, a mast loss, and a collision with 11th Hour Racing Team at the start of the final stage, his team finished 5th overall.

After the round-the-world race, Benjamin and his technical team embarked on a major overhaul of the boat’s bow, a year ahead of the Vendée Globe. With the support of Corentin Horeau, winner of the Solitaire du Figaro, he competed in the final races of the 2023 season, finishing 10th in the Transat Jacques Vabre.

At the start of the 2024 Vendée Globe, Benjamin Dutreux, surrounded by a young but experienced team, lined up with a boat he now knows inside out. After a tough battle around the world, he crossed the finish line in 10th position, a testament to his consistency and resilience.

2018: Solitaire Urgo le Figaro - 5th
2018: Solo Concarneau - 6th
2018: Solo Maître Coq - 4th
2017: Solitaire Urgo le Figaro - 12th
2017: Solo Maître Coq - 13th
2017: Solo Concarneau - 17th
2016: Solitaire Bompard le Figaro 2017 - 14th
2016: Solo Maître Coq - 14th
2016: Solo Concarneau - 7th
2015: Solitaire Bompard le Figaro - 29th
2015: 1st Bizuth French Championship Elite Offshore Racing