why do two boats have the same name?

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Vulnerable. This is the name, to say the least original, which was chosen for the boats of Thomas Ruyant and Sam Goodchild.

If this name may make you smile at first glance, the ambitions of these two boats are very real.

Why this name?

On November 10, for the first time in the history of ocean racing, two boats started with the same name.

And for the first time, this name will not be a commercial brand, nor even an association or a cause… but a simple word to appeal to consciences: Vulnerable.

At the origin of this choice, Alexandre Fayeulle, director of Advens, main financial sponsor of the two IMOCAs and specialized in cybersecurity.

“I understood that vulnerability was a knowledge and wisdom that those who believe themselves to be strong lack and in this society of performance, which erases some and exhausts others. Burn-out, exclusion or destruction of life, the cause is the same: our distorted representations of vulnerability and the negation of our limits. »

Raise awareness

As a result, Alexandre Fayeulle chose this naming to raise awareness: “ We look at vulnerability as a burden to bear or a shame to hide, without seeing its potential strengthswealth and beauty. If we really want to change things, we must allow everyone to become aware of the potential of their own vulnerability to welcome those of others and of nature,” he continued.

“I’m not superstitious”

But what do you think Thomas Ruyant et Sam Goodchildwho are going to set off on a solo world tour, non-stop and without assistance? When questioned, they have no trouble assuming this name. “No, I’m not superstitious. After, It’s good that it makes people smilebecause it provokes debate and then it allows for discussion. It's true that it's not commonbut we are not used to doing things like others,” explains Thomas Ruyant, who is participating in his third Everest of the seas and benefits from a new boat.

Same story with Sam Goodchild, who took over the Imoca from Thomas Ruyant (6th in 2020-2021): “ There's no superstition, it never crossed my mind “, he declares to Sand Journal.

And like a car team, the two teammates work together.

“We quickly realized the benefits. We pool the costs, the tools… We saw quite quickly that it was bearing fruit”

How to differentiate them?

But how can you really differentiate these two boats? If they are not visually the same, for the rest, we will have to deal with it! « We say Verstappen's Red Bull… I don't know who Verstappen is or who Pérez is, so it's up to you to figure it out! », he smiled.

Unlike Formula 1, on the water, it is impossible to set up a team race. “We are teammates until Sunday, November 10 at 1:02 p.m. Then, we are competitors! », Confided Thomas Ruyant before departure, with a smile on his lips.

Sam Goodchild wants to finish his first Vendée Globe.

“I don't see myself as a favorite but as an outsider who can annoy the favorites. »

Winner of the Route du Rhum in 2022 and the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2023, Thomas Ruyant places himself, as one of the big favorites for the 2024 Vendée Globe. “I've never felt so good, I feel like I know this boat well. We're going to try to make ourselves invulnerable! », confides the French skipper.

After a cannonball start, Sam Goodchild is 5th and Thomas Ruyant 13th.

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