The skipper receives this distinction for the first time, created 20 years ago and which has rewarded great names in sailing such as Michel Desjoyeaux, double winner of the Vendée Globe, or Franck Cammas.

Bestaven received a large majority of votes, 12 out of 17 votes in the first round.

In front of him, the double Olympic medalist in windsurfing, Charline Picon, had 4 votes and Nicolas Goyard, world and European champion of IQFoil, one vote.

The 48-year-old sailor from La Rochelle succeeds the tandem Camille Lecointre and Aloïse Retornaz (Olympic sailing), consecrated in 2019. In 2020, no sailor of the year but a sailor of the decade in the person of Franck Cammas for his exceptional career in a multitude of events over the last ten years.

Bestaven won the Vendée Globe 2020/2021 after 80 days of a non-stop solo round-the-world race full of twists and turns.

It was notably marked by the sinking of Kevin Escoffier and his epic rescue by Jean Le Cam.

Escoffier and Le Cam had received the 2020 solidarity prize awarded by the French Sailing Federation.

Shortly before receiving the prize for sailor of the year, Bestaven was decorated with the medal of knight of the Legion of honor by the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron, just like Le Cam.

For the sailor of the year 2021, twelve sailing personalities have been selected: Bestaven, Picon, Goyard but also Camille Lecointre and Aloïse Retornaz (bronze medal at the Olympic Games in 470 and European champions), Thomas Goyard (medal silver at the Olympic Games in windsurfing, Hélène Noesmoen (world and European champion in iQFOiL), Théo de Ramecourt (world and European champion in kitefoil), Axel Mazella (European champion and vice- kitefoil world champion), Arthur Guillebert (freestyle kite world champion), Pauline Courtois and her crew (match-racing world champion), Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier (final winners of the Transat Jacques Vabre), Thomas Rettant and Morgan Lagravière (winner in Imoca of the Transat Jacques Vabre).

The skipper Yannick Bestaven aboard his monohull Imoca "Maître Coq" in the port of Le Havre, November 5, 2021 two days before the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre LOIC VENANCE AFP / Archives

The title of sailor of the year is a distinction awarded since 2001 by a jury made up of institutions, sportsmen and the media, and awarded by the French Sailing Federation.

The public is also called upon to vote online (ie 2 votes).

© 2021 AFP