Skipper Yoann Richomme. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Team Paprec Arkéa

Yoann Richomme

Skipper

France

Date of birth: 12 July 1983
Place of birth: Fréjus, France

Yoann Richomme embodies excellence in ocean racing. Trained as a naval architect, he has built up an impressive list of achievements: two-time winner of la Solitaire du Figaro in 2016 and 2019, and two-time winner of la Route du Rhum in 2018 and 2022 in the Class40 category. In 2021, he led the Portuguese Mirpuri Foundation Ocean Racing team to victory in the VO65 category in the inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Europe. 

Paprec and Arkéa have chosen him to be the skipper representing their colours in the Vendée Globe 2024-25, one of sailing's most prestigious races. Involved in the design of his IMOCA alongside Antoine Koch and the firm Finot-Conq, he has followed every detail closely to guarantee optimum performance.

The boat, meticulously built at the Multiplast yard in Vannes, was launched in February 2023. The 2023 season was marked by a string of performances, including second place in the Rolex Fastnet Race and second place in the Transat Jacques Vabre with Yann Eliès as co-skipper.

At the end of 2023, Yoann added another victory to his list of achievements by winning in solo the Retour à La Base, a sign of his remarkable entry into the IMOCA circuit. This victory underlines his ability to adapt quickly to new challenges and to shine in all race conditions.

In May 2024, he continued to prove himself by winning the 15th edition of the Transat CIC, a solo race. On the start line of the Vendée Globe 2024, Yoann Richomme was one of the newcomers. Right from the start of the race, he showed that he was capable of surprising, by breaking the record for the number of miles sailed in 24 hours in IMOCA. He quickly climbed into the top 3 and intended to stay there! He finished 2nd of this Vendée Globe, after a fierce race against Charlie Dalin.

Yoann Richomme embodies the competitive spirit, determination and professionalism that have made him one of the most respected sailors of his generation.

“I’m looking forward to racing this boat with a full team next year in The Ocean Race Europe, a race I managed to win in 2021 with the Mirpuri Foundation team,” Richomme said. “It’s going to be a great race around Europe, starting in the north, racing down the Atlantic coast and into the Adriatic. The IMOCA Class is great at the moment, with the foiling 60s that fly over the water. So it’s very intense racing. It’s very nice to have a good circuit now with the solo sailing and fully crewed events like The Ocean Race and The Ocean Race Europe, which lets us mix the two styles of sailing.”

Sailing highlights

  • 2nd of the Vendée Globe 2024-25
  • Victory in the Transat CIC 2024
  • Victory in the Retour à La Base 2023
  • Victory in the inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Europe 2021in the VO65 category
  • Double winner of the Route du Rhum 2018 and 2022 in the Class40 category
  • Double winner of the Solitaire du Figaro, 2016 and 2019

  • Date of birth: 12 July 1983
    Place of birth: Fréjus, France

    Yoann Richomme embodies excellence in ocean racing. Trained as a naval architect, he has built up an impressive list of achievements: two-time winner of la Solitaire du Figaro in 2016 and 2019, and two-time winner of la Route du Rhum in 2018 and 2022 in the Class40 category. In 2021, he led the Portuguese Mirpuri Foundation Ocean Racing team to victory in the VO65 category in the inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Europe. 

    Paprec and Arkéa have chosen him to be the skipper representing their colours in the Vendée Globe 2024-25, one of sailing's most prestigious races. Involved in the design of his IMOCA alongside Antoine Koch and the firm Finot-Conq, he has followed every detail closely to guarantee optimum performance.

    The boat, meticulously built at the Multiplast yard in Vannes, was launched in February 2023. The 2023 season was marked by a string of performances, including second place in the Rolex Fastnet Race and second place in the Transat Jacques Vabre with Yann Eliès as co-skipper.

    At the end of 2023, Yoann added another victory to his list of achievements by winning in solo the Retour à La Base, a sign of his remarkable entry into the IMOCA circuit. This victory underlines his ability to adapt quickly to new challenges and to shine in all race conditions.

    In May 2024, he continued to prove himself by winning the 15th edition of the Transat CIC, a solo race. On the start line of the Vendée Globe 2024, Yoann Richomme was one of the newcomers. Right from the start of the race, he showed that he was capable of surprising, by breaking the record for the number of miles sailed in 24 hours in IMOCA. He quickly climbed into the top 3 and intended to stay there! He finished 2nd of this Vendée Globe, after a fierce race against Charlie Dalin.

    Yoann Richomme embodies the competitive spirit, determination and professionalism that have made him one of the most respected sailors of his generation.

    “I’m looking forward to racing this boat with a full team next year in The Ocean Race Europe, a race I managed to win in 2021 with the Mirpuri Foundation team,” Richomme said. “It’s going to be a great race around Europe, starting in the north, racing down the Atlantic coast and into the Adriatic. The IMOCA Class is great at the moment, with the foiling 60s that fly over the water. So it’s very intense racing. It’s very nice to have a good circuit now with the solo sailing and fully crewed events like The Ocean Race and The Ocean Race Europe, which lets us mix the two styles of sailing.”

    Sailing highlights

    • 2nd of the Vendée Globe 2024-25
    • Victory in the Transat CIC 2024
    • Victory in the Retour à La Base 2023
    • Victory in the inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Europe 2021in the VO65 category
    • Double winner of the Route du Rhum 2018 and 2022 in the Class40 category
    • Double winner of the Solitaire du Figaro, 2016 and 2019