Julien is an electronics professional who is down on his luck when he decides to enter an international sailboat race. He is led astray from his original good intentions by a low-life press agent who convinces him it would be well worth his while to win the race by illegal maneuvering. As he sets off, flashbacks tell how he came to be on the sailboat; later he has long monologues -- several of them, and in-between he occasionally battles to stay afloat on an uncooperative sea.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Jacques PerrinJulien Dantec | Julien Dantec |
 Julie ChristieCatherine Dantec | Catherine Dantec |
 Michel SerraultSébastien Barral | Sébastien Barral |
 Gila von WeitershausenEmilie Dubuisson | Emilie Dubuisson |
 Heinz WeissJoss | Joss |
 Jean LeuvraisDorange | Dorange |
 François PerrotTV presenter | TV presenter |
| CChristian FerryGranville | Granville |
 Bernard LincotJanvier | Janvier |
| EEric RaphaëlDenis Dantec | Denis Dantec |
| SSolena MoraneValérie Dantec | Valérie Dantec |
| MMohammed JallohCarlos | Carlos |
| GGuy ParigotGouarzin | Gouarzin |
| SSébastien KeranJaouen | Jaouen |
 René DupréPietro Corres | Pietro Corres |
 André G. BrunelinRace commissioner | Race commissioner |
| SSerge FeuilletTreguier | Treguier |
| JJean Le HirGuégan | Guégan |
| MMichel JestinGillou | Gillou |
| FFrançoise de ChalongeAnne Guillou | Anne Guillou |
 Robin RenucciDaix | Daix |
| PPol Le GuenJournalist | Journalist |
| SSylvain GreeJournalist | Journalist |
 Maurice VallierJournalist | Journalist |