Born in Paris in 1959, Bernard Gallay first played top-flight rugby at Racing Club de France from 1980 to 1983, and for the French junior and military teams.
He took up sailing in 1981 with an Atlantic crossing aboard Faram Serenissima, then in 1982 aboard Robin Knox-Johnston's Sea Falcon. In 1986 he finished 4th in the Twostar with Knox-Johnston. He was 10th in the 1989 Solitaire du Figaro and 27th in 1995.
He sailed the 1992-1993 Vendée Globe, finishing outside the race after two stops, then the 2000-2001 edition on Voila.fr (ex-Geodis), finishing 8th in 111 d 16 h. He was 5th in the 2001 Transat Jacques-Vabre with Kito de Pavant. He ended his professional career with the 2005 Transat 6.50 (14th, Bahia Express).
In 1994 he founded the yacht brokerage Bernard Gallay Yacht Brokerage with Philippe Meylan.
