Jean Galfione

Former high-level pole vaulter and now skipper of the Route du Rhum, Jean Galfione is an example of a successful reconversion. Born in 1971 in Paris into a sporting family, he discovered pole vaulting at the age of 13. He became Olympic champion in 1996 and world champion three years later.

The Rum Route, he didn't even dare to pronounce its name. Indeed, Jean dreamed of sailing, but did not sail. Today, it is alongside Roland Jourdain, Jean Lecam and Michel Desjoyeaux that he has made a brilliant conversion to sailing. From the Jacques Vabres transatlantic race to his first solo race, the regattas follow one another. This competitor in the soul succeeded in following the river of his passion to reach the sea !