Born without his left hand, Damien Seguin still manages to combine two careers: one in Paralympic sailing, the other in offshore racing. Triple Paralympic medallist in the 2.4 mR (gold medal in Athens and Rio and a silver in Beijing) and fifth-time world champion in this discipline, Damien first got into offshore racing in 2005 via the Figaro.
The skipper then moved on to the Class40 (12-metre long monohull) and took part in a number of races: transatlantic races as well as two Route du Rhum races in 2010 and 2014... Determined and constantly looking to improve, the skipper, who for years has been able to convince people that his disability was not a hindrance to his immersion in the world of able-bodied sports, is now tackling a major challenge: the Vendée Globe.
Damien Seguin will have had a remarkable Vendée Globe in the 2020-2021 edition. The first to complete his round the world voyage in a straight daggerboard IMOCA boat and sixth in the general ranking, at the finish, the double Olympic champion declared: "I have always wanted my race to be a form of symbol, being a top level sportsman means, for me, being the showcase for his sport."Mission accomplished for Damien, who has proved that it is no longer a question of whether a disabled athlete can race in the Vendée Globe.
In 2022, Damien continued his good results on the IMOCA circuit, finishing 9th in the Vendée Arctique and the Guyader Bermuda 1000 Race. Unfortunately, during the famous Route du Rhum at the end of the year, Damien Seguin dismasted after being hit by a cargo ship, so he was forced to retire.
In 2023, he was called by Paul Meilhat to sail on Biotherm in The Ocean Race. He took part in 3 legs, including the one between Cape Town and Itajaí, the longest race ever organised.
For the first race in France, the Guyader Bermuda 1000 Race, he will sail on Initiatives-Cœur with Samantha Davies.
2023: Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race - 5th (on Initiatives-Cœur with Sam Davies)
Route du Rhum - Retired (colision, dismated)
Vendée Arctique - 9th
2022: Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race - 9th
2021: Transat Jacques Vabre - 11th
Défi Azimut - Lorient Agglomération - 10th
Rolex Fastnet Race - 7th
2020-21: Vendée Globe - 7th (80d 21h 58m 20s)
2020: Défi Azimut - 10th
Vendée-Arctique - Retired
2019: Transat Jacques Vabre - 14th
Défi Azimut - 5th
Rolex Fastnet Race - 16th
Mondial 2.4 mR - 1st (5th title)
Bermudes 1000 Race - 11th
2018: Route du Rhum - 6th
Dhream Cup 700 - 4th
Bermudes 1000 Race - 3rd
2017: Tour de France à la Voile - 1st
2016: Paralympic Games (Rio) 2.4 mR - Gold
2012: Paralympic Games (London) 2.4 mR - 4th
2008: Paralympic Games (Beijing) 2.4 mR - Silver
2004: Paralympic Games (Athens) 2.4 mR - Gold
5 World Champion Title in 2.4 mR (2015, 2012, 2007, 2005 and 2019)
22 World Cup victory titles in 2.4 mR