Alan Roberts' quest for a Vendée Globe backer

British sailor Alan Roberts has been based in France now for several years as part of his quest to find a financial backer to help him make his dream of participating in the Vendée Globe solo around-the-world race. A talented dinghy sailor with a raft of British national titles to his name – as well as two victories in the prestigious 'champion of champions' Endeavour Trophy – Roberts has also carved out an impressive reputation in the highly competitive French offshore scene in and around its epicentre, Lorient. He made his mark on the Solitaire du Figaro circuit with multiple podium finishes, and has also won the Vivi Trophy for the best international competitor. Since then he has been a regular face on top crewed campaigns on the IMOCA circuit – including last year's second edition of The Ocean Race Europe – and in the world of the monster-sized Ultim multihulls.

Image © Anne Beauge / Biotherm / The Ocean Race