Skipper offshore
With over 200,000 nautical miles covered on all the world's seas, some twenty ocean passages, and a round-the-world race, Gaëtan has extensive experience at sea, serving as a racing and delivery skipper on numerous sailboats up to 80 feet, and as a crew member on boats up to 50 meters.
He has nearly 20 years of experience as a sailing professional. In addition to his skills as a skipper, Gaëtan has acquired valuable skills in mechanics, safety, boat preparation, and international team management.
He was notably selected as skipper in the 2017-2018 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, finishing fourth overall.
Gaëtan Thomas is a certified RYA/MCA YACHTMA 200GT.
Currently seeking partners to compete in the 2026 Route du Rhum.
Born in Belgium in 1987, he was drawn to sailing and the sea from an early age. He began his career in dinghies and on the family cruiser.
He joined the Belgian national team on an Optimist, competed in the European Championships, and then moved on to a 420, where he competed in numerous international races before moving on to keelboats.
Gaëtan studied in England. He is bilingual in French and English, and can also converse in Dutch and Spanish.
His international travels have helped broaden his horizons and expand his skills, for example in Australia, where he developed his culinary talents!
Among his navigations
Single-handed sailing
2009 – Australie – Swanson36 – Sailing off the Whitsundays and Barrier Reef
2012 – Bavaria32 – Atlantic crossing – Pointe à Pitre/La Corogne
2012/13 – Océanis46 – Atlantic crossing – Lanzarote/Grenade
2013 – Océanis46 – Atlantic crossing – Martinique/Cherbourg
2014/16 – Tofinou12 – Palma/Grimaud
2015 – Tofinou8 – El Rompido/Palma
2019/22 – Class40 – Training Golfe de Gascogne/Manche – preparation for world tour
Crewed navigation
2024 – Swan 76 – ARC race - Co-skipper
2023/24 – Skipper Classique Spirit68 – Lorient/Cascais
2023 : Bali catamaran – Atlantic crossing - La Rochelle/Tortuga– Skipper
2022 : Dufour 530 - Atlantic crossing - Canet to Saint Martin– Skipper
2022 : Co-Skipper Trimaran80 - Ultimemotion2 (ex Prince of Bretagne).
Convoying Nieuwport/Sètes
2020/21 Skipper Jeanneau 64 – Atlantic crossing – Las Palmas/Grenade
2019 : Mini650 convoying + Plastimo/Lorient race
2016 : Oceanis60 – Atlantic crossing ARC - Skipper
Focus on the Clipper Race
4th overall on Garmin
This crewed, leg-by-leg round-the-world race, created by Sir Robin Know-Johnston, is one of the greatest challenges in sailing. Raced on 11 identical 70-foot racing boats, the Clipper Race allows crews from around the world to tackle all the seas of the globe.
To lead the 22 crew members, some of whom are beginners, the skippers are selected after a lengthy selection process. Gaëtan was chosen as skipper of the GARMIN boat for the 2017-2018 edition.
It was during the Clipper Race that Gaëtan was nicknamed GT because his first name was unpronounceable in English. It was also faster to call him in an emergency!
Testimonial of a solo dismasting
Story by Gaëtan Thomas about his crossing in appalling conditions
