Sam Goodchild might not be a household name in New Zealand—yet—but among the world’s top offshore racers, he’s earned a place on the front row. His ninth-place finish in the 2024 Vendée Globe turned heads for all the right reasons, especially given it was his first time taking on the legendary solo, non-stop lap of the planet. But Goodchild’s story goes far deeper than one impressive result. It’s a career built on persistence, resilience, and a life spent afloat.
Learning the ropes early
Born in 1989, Goodchild spent his earliest years aboard a cruising yacht with his family, exploring the Caribbean until he was seven. That early immersion planted a seed that’s since flourished into one of Britain’s most complete ocean racing résumés. At just 18, he found himself sailing down the iconic Sables d’Olonne channel beside Mike Golding as he departed on his own Vendée Globe—an experience that lit the fire for Goodchild’s solo ambitions.
From there, the young sailor worked alongside Golding and fellow British legend Alex Thomson, gaining first-hand experience at the highest levels of IMOCA and Open 60 racing. But Sam’s path wouldn’t be defined by immediate podiums or headline-grabbing campaigns. It would be built gradually, and across a wide range of boats and disciplines.
Finding his feet in France
In 2010, Goodchild joined the Artemis Offshore Academy, a British initiative designed to launch young talent into the famously tough French-dominated Figaro circuit. It was a formative period, teaching him the subtleties of short-handed sailing, weather strategy, and the brutal grind of single-handed competition.
Over the following decade, he ticked off a comprehensive list of classes: Class40s, Ocean Fifty trimarans, Ultim giants, and eventually IMOCA 60s. His time aboard the trimaran Leyton was especially notable—he won the 2021 Pro Sailing Tour, showcasing his tactical mind and cool head under pressure. That campaign, built with an Anglo-French team, helped cement his place as one of the few British sailors truly embedded in the competitive French offshore scene.
But the highs were tempered by setbacks. A serious injury to the trimaran’s structure during the Route du Rhum 2022 forced him to retire from the solo transatlantic race—a bitter pill in a season otherwise full of promise.
Ocean racing, IMOCA, and a big leap forward
In 2023, French skipper Kevin Escoffier tapped Goodchild to join the crew of Holcim-PRB for The Ocean Race, where Goodchild sailed the first three legs and racked up valuable IMOCA miles. Just days after returning from Brazil, he launched his own IMOCA—For the Planet—formerly known as LinkedOut, and partnered with Antoine Koch for the rest of the year.
What followed was a breakout season. Consistency, pace, and intelligent sailing saw the duo top the standings in the 2023 IMOCA Globe Series, a result that crowned Goodchild as champion of the entire circuit.
“We are all Vulnerable”
In early 2024, Goodchild joined Thomas Ruyant under the TRRacing banner, adopting a new, shared identity for their boats under the name “Vulnerable”—a campaign designed to highlight social and environmental fragility in a changing world. It was a bold move, and a powerful message in a sport still finding its voice in wider public issues.
But vulnerability took on a literal meaning too. Just four months before the start of the 2024 Vendée Globe, Goodchild’s IMOCA dismasted during the New York–Vendée transatlantic. Thanks to an all-hands push from his shore team, a replacement mast was sourced and fitted in time for the final warm-up event, the Défi Azimut, where he delivered a stunning second place.
A memorable Vendée debut
Despite the disruption, Sam Goodchild lined up in Les Sables d’Olonne for his first Vendée Globe in November 2024. From the outset, he was competitive—often pacing within reach of the leaders, sailing smart and pushing the boat without unnecessary risk. As a rookie, it was impressive. As a skipper navigating one of the most gruelling events in sport, it was something more.
Tragically, in the closing stages of the race, a torn mainsail derailed any hopes of a top-five finish. But Goodchild held his nerve, managed the damage, and brought Vulnerable safely home in ninth place—a result that confirmed his arrival in the IMOCA elite.
What’s next for Sam?
Far from taking a breather, Goodchild’s 2025 season is already stacked. He’s stepping into the spotlight again, this time replacing Charlie Dalin aboard MACIF Santé Prévoyance for the Course des Caps. He’ll sail alongside Charlotte Yven, Loïs Berrehar, and Guillaume Combescure in a campaign that signals MACIF’s continued confidence in his leadership and talent.
In parallel, he’s also joining the crew of Biotherm for the upcoming Ocean Race Europe, racing under the guidance of French skipper Paul Meilhat—a sailor Goodchild has long respected.
A sailor fluent in both worlds
What makes Sam Goodchild so compelling—especially from this side of the world—is his rare ability to thrive in the tough-as-nails French offshore ecosystem while still flying the British flag. His path has taken patience and grit, a deep respect for the craft of solo sailing, and an unrelenting drive to improve.
His approach is quiet, methodical, and outcome-driven. He doesn’t chase headlines—he earns them. And while his name might still be unfamiliar to casual fans, in the world of shorthanded sailing, Sam Goodchild is already considered one of the best.
With youth still on his side, world-class experience across multiple classes, and a maturing command of the IMOCA 60, it’s only a matter of time before he’s not just near the front—but leading from it.
