Bernard Gallay (born 7 November 1959) is a French yachtsman and businessman. He has competed in the

Vendée Globe --> The Vendée Globe is a single-handed (solo) non-stop, unassisted round the world yacht race. The race was founded by Philippe Jeantot in 1989, and since 1992 has taken place every four years. It is named after the Département of Vendé ...

twice ( 1992/93 and 2000/01) and finished his career as a professional sailor whilst participating in the Transat 6.50 in 2005. In 1994, he moved to Montpellier in the South of France and founded Bernard Gallay Yacht Brokerage. He still competes in amateur races such as Les

Voiles de Saint-Tropez The Voiles de Saint-Tropez is a regatta that takes place once a year in the gulf of Saint-Tropez, Var, France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and ...

(previously known as La Nioulargue) and the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Biography

Bernard Gallay was born in Paris.

Rugby

He is a former member of the France Junior Team and the France Military Bataillon de Joinville Team. He also played First Division Rugby for Racing Club de France from 1980 to 1983.

Sailing

In 1981, he started sailing by embarking on the sailing yacht ''Faram Serenissima'' at short notice for the Twostar Race, which resulted in an unfortunate shipwreck on the return leg. The following year in 1982, again at short notice, he embarked on an Atlantic crossing aboard ''Sea Falcon'', the boat of English sailor and navigator, Sir

Robin Knox-Johnston Sir William Robert Patrick Knox-Johnston CBE RD* (born 17 March 1939) is a British sailor. In 1969, he became the first person to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe. Along with Sir Peter Blake, he won in 1994 the s ...

Crew racing

Transat Jacques Vabre Transat may refer to: * Transat A.T., Canadian tour and travel agency ** Air Transat, Canadian airline owned by Transat A.T. * Concept Composites MD03 Transat, French ultralight aircraft * "The Transat", also called the Single-Handed Trans-Atlant ...

on board ''Voilà.Fr'' in 2001 and on board ''Afibel'' in 1997 (as skipper) * Grand Prix Coralia de Fécamp on board ''Voilà.Fr'' in 2001 (as skipper) *

America's Cup The America's Cup is a sailing competition and the oldest international competition still operating in any sport. America's Cup match races are held between two sailing yachts: one from the yacht club that currently holds the trophy (known ...

on board ''French Kiss'' in 1986/87 * 3-time participant in the Tour de L'Europe on board ''British Airways'' in 1985, ''Ericsson'' in 1987 and ''Banque Populaire'' in 1999 * 11 transatlantic races or record attempts, 6 with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston * 2-time participant in the Tour de France in 1988 with

Bertrand Pacé Bertrand Pacé (born 15 August 1961 in Petite-Synthe) is a French sailor competing in offshore racing. He won the 1994 World Match Racing Championships in La Rochelle, France. Pacé was a navigator for the Challenge Kis France at the 1987 Lou ...

and in 1998 as skipper * Rolex Middle Sea Race 2011 on board ''Med Spirit'' * Palma Super Yacht Regatta 2007 and 2009 on board ''Hyperion'' * Saint Barth Bucket 2008 on board ''Hyperion'' * Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2002, 2004 and 2011

Single-handed racing

in 1992/1993 on board ''Vuarnet Watches'' *

in 2000/2001 on board ''Voilà.Fr'' * 4-time participant in the

Solitaire du Figaro The Solitaire du Figaro, previously called the Course de l'Aurore, is a solo multi-stage sailing race created in 1970 by Jean-Louis Guillemard and . The unique character of the race, the presence of great solo sailors and its being open to amateu ...

in 1989 (winner of the newcomers class), 1990, 1991 and 1995 * Transat 6.50 in 2005 on board ''Fdi Groupe'' * Transatlantic crossing Saint Malo – Saint Pierre and Miquelon in 1992 on board ''Vuarnet Watches''

Achievements

* Rugby:

Racing Club de France Racing Club de France, also known as RCF, is a French multi-sport club that was founded on 20 April 1882 under the name Racing Club. Racing Club changed its name to Racing Club de France (RCF) on 21 November 1885. The club is located at the Bois ...

from 1980 to 1983 *

1993 – Abandoned (2 Stopovers due to selfsteering problems and structure of the rig). Finishes the course and brings his boat home single-handedly *

2001 – Finishes 8th (25 boats entered at the start) on board ''Voilà.Fr'' – 111 days 16 hours and 7 minutes *

1986–1987 – semi-final Qualifications (Louis Vuitton Cup) *

2001 – 5th with Kito De Pavant * Transat 6.50 2005 – Finishes 14th (72 boats entered at the start) on board ''Bahia Express'' – Naval Architect was Samuel Manuard and Bernard Gallay had her built in Slovenia

Yacht Brokerage

In 1994, Gallay founded the Bernard Gallay Yacht Brokerage company alongside his longtime friend, Philippe Meylan. Gallay provided through his sailing experience, knowledge of yachts and full-time involvement, while Meylan provided legal background and worked as a trusted adviser. In 1996, after two years of operation, BGYB became a member of the Mediterranean Yacht Brokerage Association (MYBA)., which includes the largest international brokerage companies in the world. Its contracts and practices have become the standard for the professional yachting industry. BGYB's reputation rose through the purchase, sale, chartering, and management of motor, sailing, and racing yachts. The boats sold range from 18 to 50 meters for budgets ranging from several hundred thousand to several million Euros.Vidéo de Bernard Gallay sur le Monaco Yacht Show par Superyachts.com
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gallay, Bernard 1959 births Living people French sailors 1987 America's Cup sailors French male sailors (sport) French Vendee Globe sailors IMOCA 60 class sailors 1992 Vendee Globe sailors 2000 Vendee Globe sailors Vendée Globe finishers Single-handed circumnavigating sailors 20th-century French sportsmen