Sam Goodchild is competing in this year’s Défi Azimut Lorient Agglomération with the goal of continuing his strong run at the helm of the Imoca MACIF Santé Prévoyance. After a convincing start to the 2026 season, the Franco-British skipper is proving his ability to compete at the highest level and is fine-tuning his preparations ahead of his next major goal of the year: the Route du Rhum.
Sam Goodchild grew up on a boat with his family until the age of 7. Passionate about the sea, he then devoted himself to ocean racing and gained a wealth of experience, both as part of a crew and solo. He quickly found himself alongside renowned sailors such as Alex Thomson and Mike Golding, before joining the Artemis Offshore Academy, a breeding ground for young British talent, in 2010.
A versatile sailor, he has competed in many different classes: Figaro, Class40, Ultim and Ocean Fifty. At the helm of the trimaran Leyton, he won the 2021 Pro Sailing Tour, confirming his status as a top-level skipper. However, he was forced to withdraw from the 2022 Route du Rhum early due to injury.
In 2023, Kevin Escoffier called him aboard Holcim-PRB for The Ocean Race. Sam competed in the first three legs, including the Southern Ocean crossing, gaining valuable experience in IMOCA. No sooner had he returned from Brazil than he launched his own 60-foot boat, the former LinkedOut, under the TR Racing colours. With Thomas Ruyant, he launched the VULNERABLE project, supported by Advens, and became IMOCA world champion in 2023 in his first full season.
In 2024, he finally achieved his childhood dream: competing in the Vendée Globe. After 80 days at sea, he finished in a remarkable 9th place for his first participation.
In 2025, Sam Goodchild joined the MACIF Santé Prévoyance team to take the helm of the IMOCA in Charlie Dalin’s absence. By winning the crewed Course des Caps and then finishing third in the Transat Café L’OR, he found his footing aboard the boat and proved his ability to perform in all race formats.
In 2026, he devoted himself fully to solo racing. As the winner of the 1000 Race and runner-up in the Vendée Arctique Les Sables d’Olonne, he confirmed his rising prominence on the IMOCA circuit. The Défi Azimut – Lorient Agglomération will mark another important step in his preparation before he sets sail for the Route du Rhum.
2026 : Vendée Arctique - Les Sables d'Olonne - 2nd
2026 : 1000 Race - Winner
2025 : Transat Café L'OR - 3rd
2025 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - Winner
2025 : Course des Caps - Winner
2024-2025: Vendée Globe - 9th
2024: Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 2nd
2023: Transat Jacques Vabre - 3rd
Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 3rd
Rolex Fastnet Race - 3rd
2022: Dhream Cup - Winner (Ocean Fifty)
Pro Sailing Tour - 2nd (Ocean Fifty)
2021: Pro Sailing Tour - Winner (Ocean Fifty)
Transat Jacques Vabre - 3rd (Ocean Fifty)
2020: Dhream Cup - Winner (Figaro)
Solo Maître Coq - 2nd (Figaro)
2019: Transat Jacques Vabre - 2nd (Class40)
Rolex Fastnet Race - 3rd (Ultim)
2018: 1000 milles des Sables - 2nd (Class40)
2015 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 7th
2014 : Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race 2nd (VOR65)
2013 : La Solitaire - 11th
RORC Carabean 600 - winner in class40
Round Gotland Race - 2nd
2012 : Normandy Channel Race - winner
2011 : Solo Basse Normandie - 2nd (Figaro)
Leg 2 Global Ocean Race - winner in class40
La Transmanche - 3rd in Figaro