The Skipper

GGR 2022 – Retired: 14 November 2022 – mechanical failure
Two days after leaving the Cape Town photo gate, Damien’s windvane failed again, as he was in 3^rd position. This time he did not have the spares to repair at sea as he had done before and had to stop. PRB stopped in Cape Town on 14 November and Damien would not continue in Chichester Class, without the motivation to sail his way up the rankings.

From South Finistere, France

Born in Moëlan-sur-Mer, Damien is a renowned sailor, ocean racer and boat captain. 

After 8 years in the French Olympic Selection in 49er, and a Tour de France à la Voile with Bernard Stamm, Damien decided to get into offshore and ocean racing. 

He joined the Figaro Bénéteau Class, the one-design solo French offshore elite circuit, competing for many years, including two transatlantic races, and seven editions of “La Solitaire du Figaro”, with several rankings in the Top 10.

At the same time, Damien made a name for himself as a sought-after “préparateur” and Boat Captain in the IMOCA Class, sailing with Bertrand de Broc, Bernard Stamm and Jean Le Cam. He worked on several Vendée Globe campaign, with Jean Le Cam’s in 2016, Kevin Escoffier’s PRB in 2020, and Violette Dorange in 2024.

Among the favourites in the Golden Globe Race 2022, he started a week later at the back of the fleet, after repairing his windvane. He climbed back up to 5^th place at the Cape Town Gate but was forced to retire soon after on a mechanical failure when clinching 3^rd place in the fleet.

Damien is back with the ambition to fight at the front of the race from the very start, and very keen to take on the Southern Oceans!

Boat

GGR 2022 Boat

Videos

Facebook: facebook.com/damien.g.damien.7