Marie Tabarly claimed line honours in the Ocean Globe Race, breaking her father’s record while sailing his renowned 73-foot ketch Pen Duick VI.
Marie Tabarly, daughter of French sailing icon Eric Tabarly, has emerged from her father’s shadow and made history by becoming the first to cross the finish line in the Ocean Globe Race—a milestone that eluded Eric during his three attempts at the challenging 27,000-mile event.
"We did it… We’ve won in real time… No one can surpass us… This was our goal all along," Marie Tabarly exclaimed while maneuvering her father’s 52-year-old ketch Pen Duick VI across the Royal Yacht Squadron finish line just before midnight on April 11. She had established an impressive 250-mile lead ahead of former Whitbread race victor L’Esprit d’Equipe in this 50th-anniversary edition of the round-the-world Whitbread.
Part Amazonian, part adventurer, Marie Tabarly presents a resolute persona on both land and sea. Our first encounter took place at a dinner in Ocean Village, Southampton, prior to the Ocean Globe Race, where she sported a sizable bowie knife strapped to her back. No one dared to question the legality of such a bold accessory.
When I reunited with her seven months later, following her and her diverse crew’s decisive victory, she appeared more composed yet delighted by her achievement.
Marie was just 14 when her father tragically passed away after falling from the original Pen Duick, a classic Fyfe-designed cutter that he had inherited from his parents while sailing from France to the Clyde for the annual Fyfe regatta in 1998.
At that time, her passion was horses rather than boats. She became a "horse whisperer"—Marie prefers the term "equine behaviorist"—but paused this pursuit after her horse sustained an injury, opting instead to concentrate on sailing and environmental issues.
Marie says, "I adore wooden boats and have participated in numerous classic yacht regattas in the Mediterranean." Her eyes light up with enthusiasm. She has also raced in Open 60s and Volvo Ocean Race yachts but often refers to Pen Duick VI with masculine pronouns. I playfully note that we typically assign boats the opposite gender. "Oh no… Pen Duick is unmistakably a ‘homme’… just look at him!" she counters. Indeed, with 33 tons of pure aluminum and black paint, this 73-foot ketch is a striking, robust creation, purposefully designed by André Mauric for Eric Tabarly to compete in the 1973 Whitbread Race.
Is it a challenging vessel to handle? "Absolutely—just look at those masts," Marie replies. "They’re so heavy. It takes all ten of us to gybe in heavy weather."
I inquire about her father’s most significant triumph aboard Pen Duick VI—the 1976 Observer Single-handed Transatlantic Race (OSTAR), during which he navigated five fierce transatlantic storms that defeated his opponents. His ability to achieve that in a yacht meant for 10-12 crew members was an impressive demonstration of seamanship.
"It surprises me too, but that race was primarily upwind. It’s when racing downwind in 50-knot winds that Pen Duick truly becomes a handful. We faced those conditions while approaching Cape Horn, and a rogue wave struck us hard. There was nothing I could do at the helm," she recalls. A moment later, a pod of dolphins leaped beside Pen Duick. "In 50-knot winds and tumultuous seas—it’s insane!" Marie exclaims.
This brings to light her deep commitment to environmental causes. In 2018, Marie embarked on a four-year expedition around the world aboard Pen Duick VI, dubbed the Elemen’Terre Project, which evolved into a documentary series aimed at reconnecting people with nature through sailing, the arts, and outdoor sports.
During this journey, she collaborated with notable French figures, including fellow Breton musician Yann Tiersen, author Sylvain Tesson, sailor Franck Cammas, and free-diver Aurore Asso, engaging in conversations and activities to emphasize the challenges and joys of the natural world.
Crucially, the voyage afforded Tabarly and her rotating crew the experience and preparation instrumental in becoming race champions.
What were the standout moments? "There were so many cherished experiences. The wildlife, nature, and dolphins at Cape Horn. I’ll remember racing closely alongside Marco Trombetti’s Translated 9 and Maiden, often in plain view of each other. The camaraderie during our radio chats four times daily will also be missed. There have been countless unforgettable instances."
Marie Tabarly Career Highlights
2001: Marie served on the multihull Geronimo during various record-setting voyages.
2008-2016: She competed in the Classic Yacht Series in the Mediterranean.
2018-2021: Circumnavigated the globe with The Elemen’Terre Project, focusing on environmental concerns.
2021: Participated in the Transat Jacques Vabre transatlantic race with Louis Duc, finishing 14th.
2022: Completed the Seven Star Round Britain & Ireland race in Pen Duick VI, securing 1st in class.
2023: Competed in the Fastnet Race aboard Pen Duick VI.
2024: Marie aspires to challenge the Jules Verne round-the-world record as part of an all-women crew.
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