Desjoyeaux awarded

Double Vendee Globe winner is the 2009 French Sailor Of The Year

Michel Desjoyeaux has been crowned the 2009 French Sailor Of The Year, during the traditional 'Soirée des Champions', organised by the French Sailing Federation, the FFV.

The winner of the Vendée Globe succeeds to Francis Joyon, the 2008 Sailor Of The Year. This is the third time Desjoyeaux has received this award.

The ceremony was held in the Edouard VII Theatre, in Paris, during Paris Boat Show.

The three other nominees were:

- Antoine Albeau, Slalom World Champion
- Pascal Bidégorry, for Banque Populaire's transatlantic record
- French Young Sailing Team, who were Volvo Young Sailing ISAF World Champions

Past French Sailors Of The Year - 2001 to 2008 :

2001 - Michel Desjoyeaux, winner of the Vendée Globe (93 days, 3 hours and 57 minutes)
2002 - Olivier Backes and Laurent Voiron, second in the Tornado World Championship and European Champions
2003 - Xavier Rohart and Pascal Rambeau, Star World Champions
2004 - Faustine Merret, Olympic Games Gold Medallist (Athens)
2005 - Vincent Riou, winner of the Vendée Globe (87 days, 10 hours, 47 minutes and 55 seconds)
2006 - Lionel Lemonchois, winner of the Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale
2007 - Michel Desjoyeaux, winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre and the Solitaire Afflelou-Le Figaro
2008 - Francis Joyon, round The world record holder