“He is going for something dangerous”, the confidences of Anne-Marie, mother of Dunkirk skipper Thomas Ruyant

For his third Vendée Globe, Dunkirk Thomas Ruyant is the favorite for the race. The 43-year-old sailor is preparing to set off on a solo round-the-world trip, Sunday November 10, from Les Sables d’Olonne (Vendée).

What if the third state is the good one? Thomas Ruyant, skipper from Dunkirk, is preparing to begin a world tour on his Imoca. Sunday November 10, 2024, start of his solo race from Les Sables d’Olonne.

“I have never missed a start or finish of a race. Sunday, I will be in Vendée with two of his sisters and his children”says Anne-Marie Ruyant, the sailor’s mother. This Tuesday, November 5, the Dunkirk woman is in her kitchen. She prepares “good little dishes” to his son, who he will take on his boat. On the menu: tomato or pumpkin soups, apple compotes, Dunkirk carnival pudding or even apple clafoutis. As a final surprise, his team bought him waffles from Meert and beers from the north.

The big-hearted mother adds Christmas packages to these gargantuan dishes.“I show my support by leaving him a souvenir of the house during his world touradds Anne-Marie Ruyant. I’m always there if he needs me.“

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“Thomas was a discreet little kid, a little taciturn, but full of life. He became calm and reflected with his practice of Wed. Before, ihe went in all directions and had fun with his sisters. He was the little guy in a family of mostly girls.”testifies his mother.

I allowed my four children to practice sailing at a very young age. It was Thomas who took the navigation bait the hardest.

Anne-Marie Ruyant, mother of Thomas, skipper of the Vendée Globe 2024

Ice hockey, tennis or even cross country, the young Dunkirk player plays all sports. However, it is for navigation that sets its greatest sights. “Living by the sea, I allowed my four children to practice sailing at a very young age. It was Thomas who took the navigation bait the hardest. On weekends, sometimes, he would go out to sea alone on his sailing boat Optimist. she says.

The sailor is a “a tenacious one” insists his mother. What do the storms of life matter, “Thomas does not let himself be carried away by his emotions. He demonstrates impressive mental strength. And it is with his values ​​that he raises his children aged 12 and 7.”

The sailor has always shown pugnacity. An anchored memory for Anne-Marie Ruyant: the one where her son announced to her that he would participate in his first crossing of the Atlantic. “He said to me, ‘Mom, I have something to tell you, sit down. He showed me the competition website on his computer and said he would rebuild a boat himself and find his sponsors. He always believed in his lucky star.”admits Thomas Ruyant’s mother.

For the 2024 Vendée Globe, Anne-Marie Ruyant has confidence in her son. “I have a little apprehension and stress, because he is leaving for something dangerous. There will be complicated situations to manage, but they are notdon’t the first time he leaves and not the last. I am convinced that he will be up to the task. I am proud of what he has become both from a sporting and human point of view.”she specifies.

“Charismatic and caring”as depicted by his mother. Thomas Ruyant is also a winner. He won six transatlantic races and finished 6th in the Vendée Globe in 2020. “This year, he will perhaps realize his dream, winning the legendary world tour”Anne-Marie Ruyant is moved.

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean, crossing the anticyclones of the Azores or Saint Helena, passing the Cape of Good Hope or Horn and following the South American coast before reaching the Vendée, this is the sailor’s challenge.

Thomas Ruyant is not in his first Vendée Globe. A retirement in 2016 and a sixth place in 2020, this year, in 2024, Thomas Ruyant has not “Never had as much approxiand to leave only for this race.”

I have never wanted to leave as much as for this race.

Thomas Ruyant, skipper of the Vendée Globe 2024

During his first Vendée Globe, in 2016, “I was apprehensive. I stopped halfway through the race because my boat hit a container which tore the bottom of the body”he says. Four years later, in 2020, the athlete is frustrated. His boat slightly damaged, Thomas Ruyant crossed the finish line. “When I arrive, my corps collapsed. J’had full cramps and pain everywhere”remembers the sailor.

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Today, in 2024, it comes back to us stronger. “The Vendée Globe is a special race. It’s certain that we suffer, but it’s this challengethat I want to take up”he says. I want to go back, but not out of revenge.” Thomas Ruyant refuses the word “revenge.” This term makes him smile in interviews. More prepared than ever, his Formula 1 of the seas pampered, the skipper leaves “aith a serene state of mind.”

For Vendée Globe skippers, mental preparation is as important as physical training. “Sail with boats 60 meters long and of eighteen feet is not easy. Of course, in the long term, there will be some slack.”explains Thomas Ruyant.

Favorite, the sailor knows how to keep a cool head. It’s a situation that seems to suit him, but which he approaches with complete humility. “When I ups and downs, I try to level it all out a little. When there is euphoria, I must not fall to the bottom of the hole behind it”specifies the sailor.

The 43-year-old believes in his chances for the competition, because he has the boat he wanted. The name of his ship: Vulnerable. An evocative title that wants to be used as a campaign to defend the most vulnerable. “I don’t compete just for my apple”he would often say to his mother. His Imoca designed by and for Thomas Ruyant. “I’m happy to have the boat I wanted to have. Its particularity : the hull that allows you to better cross the seas.”

On board his monohull, the sailor has all the essential information for navigation: direction of the boat, wind strength and speed. In his boat, Thomas Ruyant will not lack comfort. It even has a seat molded in the image of its body and a king size bed for intermittent sleep.

Supported by his mother and well prepared, the Dunkirk skipper during his solo round-the-world trip is determined to win. “It will make the regional standard shine loud and clear”says his mother.