Only 6th in the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe after being one of the great leaders of the race, the Dunkirk man finished the world tour in tears. With his new Imoca imagined and designed by the tandem of architects Antoine Koch – Finot-Conq, Thomas Ruyant returns for the 3rd time with a boat that is less harsh than the previous one, and more versatile. “I know what I’m capable of,” he said. I’m one of the favorites and that suits me very well.” Ruyant is a machine to win solo (Mini-Transat and Route du Rhum twice, Class40 and Imoca) as well as double-handed (Transat Ag2r and Transat Jacques Vabre): all he is missing is the Holy Grail. He's only there for that, 1st place.
The skipper from the Bay of Morlaix knows music: he is on his 5th participation in a race which, 4 years ago, did him no favors. “I have experienced everything about the Vendée Globe, except victory.” His last success in an Imoca dates back to 2019 on the Vendée Arctic: it's starting to date but his two podiums, in 2023 on Le Retour à La Base (2nd) and on the New York Vendée in 2024 (3rd), prove that the skipper of Charal, surrounded by a big team including the expertise of a certain Franck Cammas, is still in the match. His machine, first plan signed by Sam Manuard, looks formidable.
We knew he was talented after his successes on the Solitaire du Figaro and the Route du Rhum in Class40, Yoann Richomme quickly confirmed in Imoca: 1st in the Return to La Base in 2023 and 1st in the Transat CIC Lorient – New York in 2024. Rare are the only ones to perform so quickly in an Imoca. Even if he will discover the southern seas alone on his new Imoca designed by Antoine Koch and Finot-Conq, the skipper of Arkea Paprec is a very serious prospect for final victory. His machine likes downwind and strong winds. “Everything is possible in the Vendée Globe,” he says. Tough to a fault, very comfortable in the weather, Richomme can play it like François Gabart, winner in 2013 in his first participation.
Four years ago, no one had bet a cent on the Rochelais: winner of the 9th edition, Yannick Bestaven returns to defend his title and thus try to equal Michel Desjoyeaux, the only double winner of the Vendée Globe. If the winner of the Mini-Transat 2001 kept the same partner, Maître Coq, the latter offered him a new boat, a Guillaume Verdier design, who finished 6th in the Transat CIC and 20th in the Transat New York Vendée: he therefore did not make any sparks but he remains a credible candidate, he who is never as comfortable when the race is long, hard, committed.
