Martin Le Pape, originally from and residing in Concarneau, fell in love with offshore racing "when he was little," during numerous family cruises.

Holder of a Master's degree in STAPS specialized in high-level sports, the sailor is a accomplished athlete! Whether on land, participating in trail running races, at sea by accumulating various sailing disciplines, or underwater as a spearfishing enthusiast, Martin engages in about 15 hours of sports per week.

It is in sports that Martin's competitive spirit emerged. First in windsurfing, becoming the vice-champion of France at the age of 16, and then placing 5th in the world championships in Sicily two years later.

Martin quickly climbed the ranks in sailing, starting as a crew member, then decided in 2011 to start his own project in J80. Besides the rhythm imposed by regattas and the demands of the sport, his new role as skipper/helmsman taught him team management and sports operations. Successful bet: his crew was crowned vice-champion of France in 2012.

Martin's diligence in his work and preparation quickly allowed him to integrate into the Figaro Beneteau circuit. After testing a transatlantic race in 2014 alongside the famous Roland Jourdain, Martin led and managed his own project for two years, competing in the biggest events of the circuit. Capable of managing all aspects of an offshore racing project, Martin did not neglect his athletic training and continued to learn at the Pôle Finistère Course au Large in Port-la-Forêt.

Ambitious, Martin applied for the prestigious Skipper Macif selection and was chosen in 2017 for two years. His ambition was clear: to have all the tools for two years to excel on this demanding circuit. After two successful seasons, notably marked by his superb 7th place in the Solitaire URGO Le Figaro, he was renewed for an additional year in 2019 at the helm of the brand new Figaro Beneteau.

This final year was a golden opportunity for Martin, who participated in fine-tuning the new one-design boat: the Figaro BENETEAU 3, a brand-new boat equipped with foils and at the forefront of technology in many ways. Taking advantage of this extraordinary experience in setting up a new boat, Martin delved into all areas related to optimizing and improving the performance of this new vessel.

Martin is a calm sailor, with a well-grounded mindset, and his career plan is already carefully thought out. After these 7 years on the Figaro Beneteau circuit, Martin is embarking on the Transat Jacques Vabre 2021 alongside Giancarlo Pedote (6th place), and continues in 2022 with a Class 40 project for the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, finishing 9th in the most legendary of transatlantic races.

What's next? Staying on the water and honing his skills on the Figaro Beneteau circuit in 2024, Martin knows he is ready to embark on a new chapter in his career: the solo and unassisted Round the World Race. Onward to 2028!