Biotherm

Paul Meilhat

Skipper

France

Despite being born in the landlocked French city of Paris Paul Meilhat was introduced to the world of sailing as a youngster courtesy of his keen cruising sailor parents.

Meilhat (40) fell in love with the sea and soon transitioned into the racing world, first in the tiny Optimist dinghy and later as an Olympic campaigner, as well as racing back and forth across the English Channel and further afield.

Having called time on his Olympic aspirations he quickly switched his focus to the renowned French proving ground for nascent ocean racing skippers – the singlehanded Figaro circuit.

After winning the 2014 Transat AG2R with his French co-skipper Gwénolé Gahinet, Meilhat attracted the attention of French insurance company SMA. With their backing he finished fourth in the Elite Solo Offshore Racing Championship before graduating to the IMOCA class for a tilt at the 2016 Vendée Globe.

Unfortunately, on that occasion his hopes of a podium place were dashed seven weeks into the race when while in the leading pack a keel ram failure forced him out of the race.

Two years later Meilhat won the IMOCA class in the 2018 solo transatlantic Route du Rhum race and has been a regular competitor on the IMOCA circuit ever since. Two months before the start of The Ocean Race 2022-23 – racing his brand new Biotherm Racing IMOCA offshore for the first time – he finished sixth in the 38-boat IMOCA fleet in the 2022 edition of the Route du Rhum.

Although best known for his solo ocean racing prowess Meilhat says his participation in The Ocean Race for the first time is the fulfilment of a long time dream to race fully-crewed around the world.

Previous participation in The Ocean Race:
Taking part in The Ocean Race for the first time.


  • Despite being born in the landlocked French city of Paris Paul Meilhat was introduced to the world of sailing as a youngster courtesy of his keen cruising sailor parents.

    Meilhat (40) fell in love with the sea and soon transitioned into the racing world, first in the tiny Optimist dinghy and later as an Olympic campaigner, as well as racing back and forth across the English Channel and further afield.

    Having called time on his Olympic aspirations he quickly switched his focus to the renowned French proving ground for nascent ocean racing skippers – the singlehanded Figaro circuit.

    After winning the 2014 Transat AG2R with his French co-skipper Gwénolé Gahinet, Meilhat attracted the attention of French insurance company SMA. With their backing he finished fourth in the Elite Solo Offshore Racing Championship before graduating to the IMOCA class for a tilt at the 2016 Vendée Globe.

    Unfortunately, on that occasion his hopes of a podium place were dashed seven weeks into the race when while in the leading pack a keel ram failure forced him out of the race.

    Two years later Meilhat won the IMOCA class in the 2018 solo transatlantic Route du Rhum race and has been a regular competitor on the IMOCA circuit ever since. Two months before the start of The Ocean Race 2022-23 – racing his brand new Biotherm Racing IMOCA offshore for the first time – he finished sixth in the 38-boat IMOCA fleet in the 2022 edition of the Route du Rhum.

    Although best known for his solo ocean racing prowess Meilhat says his participation in The Ocean Race for the first time is the fulfilment of a long time dream to race fully-crewed around the world.

    Previous participation in The Ocean Race:
    Taking part in The Ocean Race for the first time.