Sailing fast, far and simply. This shared search for balance is what brought François Gabart and ORC together around the ORC 57.
In this video, the sailor shares his perspective on the boat, and more broadly on a way of sailing where performance is never an end in itself, but a means to gain freedom, safety and autonomy at sea. On board the ORC 57, François Gabart finds familiar fundamentals: a light, readable and responsive catamaran, designed to move efficiently in real conditions, without excess or unnecessary complexity.
“Performance is not just about going fast. It’s about being able to go far, for a long time, with confidence.”
François Gabart
A leading offshore sailor, François Gabart won the Vendée Globe 2012–2013 on his first attempt. In 2017, he set the solo round-the-world record aboard the trimaran MACIF. His career is marked by major ocean racing victories and a constant focus on sailing, design and real-world use of boats.
A catamaran Designed for Sailing
Designed by Marc Lombard Yacht Design, the ORC 57 follows a lineage rooted in offshore sailing, while remaining deeply focused on practical use at sea.
Its light displacement, sail plan, tiller system and deck ergonomics create a direct relationship with the boat, clear feedback at the helm and a constant connection with the elements. An approach that resonates with experienced sailors as well as with those looking for a simple and coherent way to sail.
No demonstration. Just a boat that does what it is meant to do, naturally.
Living at Sea
Alongside François Gabart, this video also highlights another key dimension of the ORC 57: the ability to live on board over time.
A balance between performance and comfort, designed for long passages, short-handed sailing or family cruising. A boat that makes it possible to sail comfortably, while always staying connected to the sea.
This balance lies at the heart of the ORC philosophy.
Freesailing: A shared Vision
More than a testimonial, this encounter reflects the spirit of Freesailing: sailing stripped back to what matters most, where technique serves the experience rather than overshadowing it.
A calm and thoughtful perspective, shared by a sailor who knows the ocean in all its forms, and who finds here a clear expression of essential sailing.