When he started ocean racing, Yannick Bestaven was the sponsor of his Mini 6.50. Today, he is his IMOCA co-skipper.
Julien started competitive sailing in sport-studies in La Rochelle. In 2011, he met Yannick Bestaven during the Les Sables-d'Olonne - Horta race in Class40 and became, one thing leading to another, his Class40 preparer for the 2011 Transat Jacques Vabre.
In 2012, Julien and Yannick Bestaven took part in their first race together, in the Normandy Channel Race in Class40. They had a great "remontada" to finish on the podium (3rd). At the same time, Julien is leading a Mini project with a first participation in the Mini Transat in 2013 where he finished 6th, then in 2015 on his mini 6.50 Novintiss, of which Yannick Bestaven is the sponsor, where he took a superb second place.
Julien then turned to the Figaro by joining the Team Vendée Formation for two years, two years which allowed him to fulfil his desire for solo racing.
The sailor continued to work with the Maître CoQ team, on the technical side during the training sessions, and then on performance during training sessions. In 2023, Yannick took him aboard his latest generation foiler for the double-handed season and appointed him as replacement skipper for the Vendée Globe 2024.
2023 : Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race - 4th
2021: Transat Jacques Vabre - 14th (Class40)
2020: Normandy Channel Race - 2nd (Class40)
2018: Seventar Round Britain & Ireland Race - Winner (Class40)
Normandy Channel Race - Winner (Class40)
2015: Mini Transat - 2nd (Série)
2013: Mini Transat - 6th (Proto)
2012: Normandy Channel Race - 3rd (Class40)