Alexis Thomas discovered sailing at age 6, moving from the Optimist to the 470 via the Laser and the 420. He followed a sport-study programme in La Rochelle, then studied naval architecture in Southampton, combining Olympic sailing with his studies.
He has sailed the Figaro Bénéteau 3 since 2021. After six seasons in the class, he finished second in the 2026 Solitaire du Figaro and became French Elite offshore racing champion.
Michel Desjoyeaux then entrusted him with his Class40, AfterData-Elcia, for his first Route du Rhum. After three days of racing, a rudder failure and several breakages forced him to stop in La Coruña. With Michel Desjoyeaux's agreement, he decided on 8 November 2026 not to restart: the weather would have pushed him onto a very northerly route, in strong winds and cross seas, far from the rest of the fleet.
