Team Malizia

Yann Eliès

Crew Member

France

Yann Eilès is one of France's most experienced and highly respected yachtsmen. He has raced the solo Solitaire du Figaro an incredible 17 times and has won the prestigious and highly competitive race on three occasions (2012, 2013, and 2015).

He is arguably best known as a singlehanded sailor – he twice took part in the Vendée Globe solo around the world race (2008-09 and 2016-17) – but has also won the double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre three times: in 2013 in the Multi50 division with Erwan Le Roux (FRA); in 2017 in the IMOCA class with Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA); and most recently in 2019 on French skipper Charlie Dalin’s IMOCA.

Aside from his impressive short-handed sailing resume Eliès (48) has also twice won the fully-crewed, nonstop around-the-world Jules Verne Trophy – in 2002 and 2005 on the maxi multihulls Orange and Orange 2, respectively.    

Eliès has for several years worked as a coach and advisor to Team Malizia skipper Boris Herrmann – before now joining him onboard the team’s new IMOCA Malizia – Seaexplorer for their collective first challenge for The Ocean Race.

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


  • Yann Eilès is one of France's most experienced and highly respected yachtsmen. He has raced the solo Solitaire du Figaro an incredible 17 times and has won the prestigious and highly competitive race on three occasions (2012, 2013, and 2015).

    He is arguably best known as a singlehanded sailor – he twice took part in the Vendée Globe solo around the world race (2008-09 and 2016-17) – but has also won the double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre three times: in 2013 in the Multi50 division with Erwan Le Roux (FRA); in 2017 in the IMOCA class with Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA); and most recently in 2019 on French skipper Charlie Dalin’s IMOCA.

    Aside from his impressive short-handed sailing resume Eliès (48) has also twice won the fully-crewed, nonstop around-the-world Jules Verne Trophy – in 2002 and 2005 on the maxi multihulls Orange and Orange 2, respectively.    

    Eliès has for several years worked as a coach and advisor to Team Malizia skipper Boris Herrmann – before now joining him onboard the team’s new IMOCA Malizia – Seaexplorer for their collective first challenge for The Ocean Race.

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