Sam Goodchild has once again claimed the title of IMOCA Globe Series Champion, ahead of Jérémie Beyou and Justine Mettraux. As the year draws to a close, the British skipper’s victory marks a crowning achievement, especially after joining the Macif team in the second half of 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Sam Goodchild secures his second IMOCA Globe Series title in three years, finishing nearly 30 points ahead of his closest rivals.
- Exceptional season: Three major wins in 2025 (Course des Caps, The Ocean Race Europe, Défi Azimut), despite an uncertain start following his 9th place in the 2024-2025 Vendée Globe.
- Unexpected opportunity: He replaced Charlie Dalin aboard MACIF Santé Prévoyance, a cutting-edge IMOCA, and signed a contract through 2030 for the 2028 Vendée Globe.
- Profile: A former Ocean Fifty champion, Goodchild is renowned for his consistency, technical skill, and ability to maximize the potential of high-performance boats.
- Rivalries: He praises the performances of Jérémie Beyou (winner of the Transat Café L’OR) and Justine Mettraux, the first woman and first international sailor to finish the Vendée Globe in 8th place.
2025 Season: Consistency and Opportunity
Uncertain Start to the Season
In January 2025, after finishing 9th in the Vendée Globe aboard his former boat Vulnerable, Sam Goodchild found himself without a defined program. Opportunity knocked when MACIF and MerConcept offered him the chance to replace Charlie Dalin, who had to step back for health reasons. The British sailor took the helm of MACIF Santé Prévoyance, a state-of-the-art foiling IMOCA designed by Guillaume Verdier, which had already won the 2024-2025 Vendée Globe with Dalin.
Series of Victories
- Course des Caps: First IMOCA win, crewed, around Britain and Ireland.
- The Ocean Race Europe: Key crew member aboard Biotherm, led by Paul Meilhat, dominating the five-stage race.
- Défi Azimut: Victory in double-handed racing with Loïs Berrehar, confirming the duo’s and the boat’s performance.
- Transat Café L’OR: 3rd place, again with Berrehar, in a fiercely competitive field.
Undisputed Leadership
With 383.75 points, Goodchild leads Jérémie Beyou (Charal) by nearly 29 points. Justine Mettraux, the 2025 Rolex Female Sailor of the Year, rounds out the podium. This title confirms his consistency and ability to excel in both solo and crewed events.
MACIF Santé Prévoyance: A Boat Built for Performance
Imoca Macif LE HAVRE, FRANCE: Imoca Macif Santé Prévoyance at the start of the Transat Café l’OR 2025 on October 26, 2025 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Vincent Curutchet / Alea)
Technical Features:
- Designer: Guillaume Verdier
- Builder: CDK Technologies, based at MerConcept in Concarneau
- Innovations: Optimized foils, reduced cockpit to minimize movement, ergonomics rethought for solo sailing
- Palmarès: Winner of the 2024-2025 Vendée Globe (Charlie Dalin), Course des Caps, and Défi Azimut 2025 (Goodchild/Berrehar)
“It’s an incredibly versatile boat, designed to foil from 12 knots of wind. Every detail is optimized for performance and reliability,” says Goodchild.
Rivals: Beyou and Mettraux, Unavoidable Benchmarks
Jérémie Beyou (Charal)
- Winner of the 2025 Transat Café L’OR with Morgan Lagravière
- 4th in the 2024-2025 Vendée Globe aboard a latest-generation IMOCA
- Profile: One of the most experienced skippers on the circuit, admired by Goodchild since his Figaro days
Justine Mettraux (Teamwork-Team SNEF)
- 8th in the 2024-2025 Vendée Globe, first woman and first international sailor to complete the race
- 2025 Rolex Female Sailor of the Year, 5th in the Transat Café L’OR
- Project: Preparing for the 2028 Vendée Globe with a new boat
“Justine is a formidable competitor with an impressive trajectory. She will remain a major force on the circuit,” Goodchild acknowledges.
Next Step: Vendée Globe 2028
Sam Goodchild is now committed to MACIF through 2030, with his sights set on the 2028 Vendée Globe aboard a new Verdier-designed IMOCA.
“It’s an incredible opportunity. The goal is clear: make the most of it and give my best. When MACIF calls, it’s a team that has won the Vendée Globe twice. That adds pressure, but the aim remains the same: to be the best I can be.”
Summary Table: 2025 IMOCA Globe Series Standings
2025 IMOCA Globe Series Standings
In Summary
Sam Goodchild has established himself as one of the most complete skippers of his generation, capable of adapting to the most demanding boats and competing with the best. His back-to-back IMOCA Globe Series titles, combined with his long-term commitment to MACIF, make him a serious contender for future editions of the Vendée Globe.