Into The Wind #136: Cédric Chateau, The Coach-Runner Who Never Stops Learning

Cédric Chateau, a French technical coach and competitive sailor, was featured in episode 136 of the podcast “Into The Wind” produced by Sailorz, discussing his dual role as both a coach and an active competitor in offshore sailing.

According to his profile on the Class40 website, Chateau is 48 years old and works as a federal technical cadre (Cadre technique fédéral) in France. He has competed in multiple Class40 races, including the Spi Ouest France BPGO in April 2025 and April 2026, the Transat Café L’Or Normandie Le Havre in October 2025 and the Rolex Fastnet race in July 2025, often sailing aboard the Sogestran – Seafrigo boat with co-skippers such as Guillaume Piroulle and Jules Ducelier.

In the podcast, Chateau emphasized his ongoing commitment to learning, describing himself as a “coach-coureur” (coach-runner) who continues to develop his skills through both teaching and competing. His participation in high-level offshore events reflects a hands-on approach to coaching, where practical experience directly informs his technical guidance to other sailors.

Chateau’s racing history includes a second-place finish in the Spi Ouest France BPGO in April 2025 alongside Guillaume Piroulle and Edouard Leveau, and a fifth-place finish in the 2025 Rolex Fastnet race with Thea Khelif and Marion Engelhard. He also placed second in the 2025 Transat Café L’Or Normandie Le Havre, completing the course in 19 days, 2 hours, 34 minutes, and 46 seconds.

His involvement in the Class40 circuit highlights a broader trend in competitive sailing where coaches remain active participants, blending mentorship with direct competition to stay current with evolving techniques, boat handling, and race tactics in offshore disciplines.