Finistère is proud to have sponsored Jean Le Cam aboard his new Imoca ‘Tout commence en Finistère – Armor-lux’. This partnership reflects the values of seamanship, performance, solidarity and the dynamism of ocean racing in Finistère. Our little county at the far west of Brittany has more coastline than anywhere else in France, and ocean racing was born right here.

The best skippers in the world come from Finistère and continue to emerge in its centres of excellence, notably the Finistère Ocean Racing Base in Port-La-Forêt, and the France and Espoir sailing centres in Brest. Ocean racing is a significant economic sector for the region, generating jobs and innovation, but it also plays a major part in Finistère’s identity, appeal and influence.

Of the 40 participants in the Vendée Globe 2024-2025, 16 trained at the ocean-racing base ‘Pôle Finistère Course au Large’, which is supported by the region’s council. They are Eric Bellion, Jérémie Beyou, Charlie Dalin, Violette Dorange, Benjamin Ferré, Boris Herrmann, Jean Le Cam, Nicolas Lunven, Sébastien Marsset, Paul Meilhat, Justine Mettraux, Yoann Richomme, Thomas Ruyant, Damien Seguin and two British sailors, Samantha Davies and Sam Goodchild.

This regional project was supported by Finistère Council, Armor-lux and Crédit Agricole du Finistère. It was also supported by a business club comprising Atout Habitat, Sill – Maison Le Gall, Actual Group, Virtuo Industrial Property, Hively Hospitality, David Raison Ingénierie Navale, Persico, and SIH, Société d’Investissements Hôtelier.

The Vendée Globe 2024-2025 also became the adventure for the 2,200 minors placed under the protection of Finistère Council. This initiative was an opportunity to raise the profile of child welfare, a mission of helping, welcoming, housing and supporting children in danger or at risk of being in danger.

‘I will take you with me around the world’, Jean Le Cam promised the 200 children present at the plenary session organised in their honour on 7th October 2023 in Quimper.

For more than a year, the children from the Children’s Welfare Services followed the skipper’s preparations. They visited the boatyard and went behind the scenes, took part in outings at sea during the Brest and Douarnenez Maritime Festivals, and were treated to exclusive meetings. These were unique and magical memories-in-the-making, where everyone left with stars in their eyes!

If you couldn’t sail it yourself, you could still take part! Fans of ocean racing and great maritime adventures joined the Virtual Regatta at the start of the Vendée Globe on 10th November 2024. They experienced this epic journey alongside Finistère skipper Jean Le Cam and hundreds of children under the care of the Child Welfare Service.

The Virtual Regatta took participants aboard the exact replica of the boat ‘Tout commence en Finistère – Armor-lux’, with 6,248 boats sailing alongside e-sailing world champion Alexandre Kowalski also from Finistère. In fact, he piloted the Finistère boat! It was a legendary adventure that saw our little part of Brittany shine on the world’s oceans.

Armor-lux has designed a collection of clothing and accessories featuring Jean Le Cam, his boat and this regional project, bringing together all the people of Finistère and the children of the Child Welfare Service. From the striped marinière and t-shirts to hats and sweaters, there’s something for everyone!