Yesterday in Lorient, Vulnerablethe Imoca of Thomas Ruyant, found the water, marking the start of an atypical 2025 season for the northern skipper. After 2024 marked by the solitary and a Vendée Globe completed at full speed, Thomas Ruyant temporarily puts solo navigation aside to turn to crew and double navigation.
Polaryse credit – Imoca
From solo to crew race
For the first time in several years, the skipper swaps his solitary cap for that of a crew chief. Three big races are on the program: the race of the CAPS-Boulogne-sur-Mer-Banque Populaire du Nord, The Ocean Race Europe in August, then the Transat Café L’Or, transatlantic in double planned in the fall from Le Havre. “A season marked by crew races (Caps race, The Ocean Race Europe) and double (Transat Café l’or), which require some ergonomic adaptations to accommodate 3 men and 1 crew woman”explains Thomas Ruyant.
With this orientation towards shared navigation, the skipper is delighted to introduce its crew the marine qualities of VULNERABLEits Koch-Finot Conq plan put in the water in 2023. “Thomas is already enjoying the idea of sharing with a high -end crew and mixed the subtleties of his Koch Finot Conq 2023 plan on new courses and towards horizons so little frequented by the exceptional sailboats of the IMOCA class. »»
A boat in excellent condition after the Vendée Globe
Arrived under construction last March, VULNERABLE Quickly reassured the TR Racing team on its general condition. Despite the 29,360 miles traveled during the last Vendée Globe at an average speed of 16.16 knots, the structural inspections revealed no major damage. “After deep inspections of the structure by scanner, and the observation of the impeccable condition of the hull, we were able to very quickly switch to the small transformations envisaged according to the coming season”Ruyant underlines.
This good general health made it possible to quickly initiate the redevelopment work necessary to accommodate a crew. The cockpit, bar stations, foot holds or cooking have been revised in a logic of shared ergonomics, without heavy transformation. “No transformations or major modifications but a large disassembly and reassembly of the systems, overwhelming, and implementation of small facilities to make life in groups, seat, foot holds, bar, because vulnerable is a very pleasant boat to block. »»
Polaryse credit – Imoca
A lightened boat adapted to the program
The passage to crew navigation also requires a revision of the performance parameters. The weight gain was a priority during the site, to compensate for the human impact and material on board. “We put in the water a lightened sailboat, to compensate somewhat the presence of four sailors, plus a mediaman (compulsory on this program. Editor’s note) throughout the season. »»
In accordance with the last rules of the IMOCA class, the sails have also been adjusted. But the performance issue exceeds the only physical dimension. Thanks to the support of his partner Advens, Thomas Ruyant also pursues substantive work on the collection and analysis of the data generated by the embedded sensors, in search of earnings and ever thinner understanding of the behavior of the boat. “” Finally, thanks to Advens, we continue to explore a lot of fields of questions previously unanswered about the management of the data generated by the sensors of the boat, their analysis and practical solutions which result from it. »»
The first training navigations should start in mid-May, to best prepare the upcoming deadlines. Note that the complete crew, including a woman, as well as the embedded mediaman, will be announced soon.
Press release source
