From the Solitaire du Figaro to the Vendée Globe
Three years later, the “stars” returned to the Solitaire du Figaro. Facing Armel Le Cléac’h, Michel Desjoyeaux and Loïck Peyron, it was the young Richomme who won. The industry no longer discovers him: he has already won the Route du Rhum in Class40 (2018). His talent, his hard work, his rigor, his determination are praised. Yoann wants to understand everything to the point “ to watch a tutorial at night if a subject bothers me “, he confides. The opportunity offered by Paprec Arkéa is a turning point. “ This chance is beyond my expectations », assures Yoann. He is involved in each stage of the project, participates in the design of his boat with Antoine Koch, exchanges with several skippers to learn about these “ little things » which can make the difference.
To keep control during the construction site, Paprec Arkéa is launching a Class40 project in parallel with the construction of its IMOCA. The opportunity to compete in the Route du Rhum (2022) and above all to retain your title! This victory is that of character: penalized for having crossed the starting line too early, he overtakes his competitors one by one, takes the lead of the race after five days before never leaving it again. He thus builds up his confidence before launching into IMOCA.
Second in the Fastnet Race then in the Transat Jacques Vabre alongside the experienced Yann Eliès, the skipper won in his first solo IMOCA race only eight months after launching his boat! It was a December evening at the end of Return to Base, a very competitive race between Fort-de-France, in Martinique, and Lorient. On the pontoons, Yoann was already meeting for the Vendée Globe: “ If the South Seas look like what we just saw, I’m ready to go! » A year later, almost to the day, he finished with the Pacific Ocean by crossing Cape Horn at the head of the Vendée Globe. Enough to continue its irresistible ascent at the heart of the most iconic tower in the world.
HIS MAIN VICTORIES
2024: Winner of New York Vendée – Les Sables d’Olonne
2023: Winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race
2022: Winner of the Vendée Arctic
2020: 2nd in the Vendée Globe
2019: Winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre
2015, 2016: 2nd in the Solitaire du Figaro
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