Thomas Ruyant FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Allagrande Mapei Racing

Thomas Ruyant

Co-skipper

France

Date of birth: 24 May 1981
Place of birth: Saint-Pol-sur-Mer, France

He's nicknamed the king of transatlantic races! It has to be said that the sailor from Dunkirk, born on 24 May 1981 in Saint-Pol-sur-Mer, has won many of them: Mini-Transat 2009, Route du Rhum in Class 40 in 2010 and in IMOCA in 2022, Transat Jacques Vabre with Morgan Lagravière in 2021 and 2023, Transat AG2R La Mondiale with Adrien Hardy in 2018. He recently finished the Vendée Globe in seventh place, after finishing his first solo round the world race in sixth place in 2020 and retiring off New Zealand in 2016. 

One-time record holder of the 24-hour solo monohull world record with 539.94 miles sailed in 2024, Thomas is also an entrepreneur at the head of the TR Racing ocean racing team, which fielded the two VULNERABLE yachts in the last Vendée Globe.

In The Ocean Race Europe, he will be handing over the reins of his boat to his new skipper Ambrogio Beccaria, and in the best possible way, racing at the highest level. Thomas Ruyant and his team are currently building a new IMOCA, which will be launched in 2026, with the aim of racing around the world in The Ocean Race in 2027.

"It’s true that I’m more used to sailing solo or double-handed on this boat. Thanks to the work of the TR Racing experts and the high-quality, meticulous preparation, they’ve managed to adapt it so that it can now accommodate a five-person crew. The Ocean Race Europe will be a learning ground for all of us, really, because my only experience in crewed IMOCA sailing remains the first edition back in 2021. The beginning of the season will be key to getting to know each other, understanding how everyone works, and gradually building a real dynamic on board. All of this will come together progressively, between training sessions and the Course des Caps. Morgan and I have already started giving some initial guidance to Ambrogio and Manon during the first outings. The idea is for them to find their footing quickly so that we can then dive into the finer details. The onboard organization will continue to adjust naturally, and I’m really keen to push further into everything related to pure navigation and strategy. It’s an area I particularly enjoy and want to explore even more within a crewed setup."

Sailing highlights

  • Winner of the Mini Transat 2009
  • Winner of the Route du Rhum 2010 in Class40
  • Winner of the Transat AG2R La Mondiale 2018
  • 3rd in The Ocean Race Europe 2021
  • Double winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre with Morgan Lagravière in 2023 and 2021
  • Winner of the Route du Rhum 2022
  • 6th in the Vendée Globe 2020-2021
  • 7th in the Vendée Globe 2024-2025

  • Date of birth: 24 May 1981
    Place of birth: Saint-Pol-sur-Mer, France

    He's nicknamed the king of transatlantic races! It has to be said that the sailor from Dunkirk, born on 24 May 1981 in Saint-Pol-sur-Mer, has won many of them: Mini-Transat 2009, Route du Rhum in Class 40 in 2010 and in IMOCA in 2022, Transat Jacques Vabre with Morgan Lagravière in 2021 and 2023, Transat AG2R La Mondiale with Adrien Hardy in 2018. He recently finished the Vendée Globe in seventh place, after finishing his first solo round the world race in sixth place in 2020 and retiring off New Zealand in 2016. 

    One-time record holder of the 24-hour solo monohull world record with 539.94 miles sailed in 2024, Thomas is also an entrepreneur at the head of the TR Racing ocean racing team, which fielded the two VULNERABLE yachts in the last Vendée Globe.

    In The Ocean Race Europe, he will be handing over the reins of his boat to his new skipper Ambrogio Beccaria, and in the best possible way, racing at the highest level. Thomas Ruyant and his team are currently building a new IMOCA, which will be launched in 2026, with the aim of racing around the world in The Ocean Race in 2027.

    "It’s true that I’m more used to sailing solo or double-handed on this boat. Thanks to the work of the TR Racing experts and the high-quality, meticulous preparation, they’ve managed to adapt it so that it can now accommodate a five-person crew. The Ocean Race Europe will be a learning ground for all of us, really, because my only experience in crewed IMOCA sailing remains the first edition back in 2021. The beginning of the season will be key to getting to know each other, understanding how everyone works, and gradually building a real dynamic on board. All of this will come together progressively, between training sessions and the Course des Caps. Morgan and I have already started giving some initial guidance to Ambrogio and Manon during the first outings. The idea is for them to find their footing quickly so that we can then dive into the finer details. The onboard organization will continue to adjust naturally, and I’m really keen to push further into everything related to pure navigation and strategy. It’s an area I particularly enjoy and want to explore even more within a crewed setup."

    Sailing highlights

    • Winner of the Mini Transat 2009
    • Winner of the Route du Rhum 2010 in Class40
    • Winner of the Transat AG2R La Mondiale 2018
    • 3rd in The Ocean Race Europe 2021
    • Double winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre with Morgan Lagravière in 2023 and 2021
    • Winner of the Route du Rhum 2022
    • 6th in the Vendée Globe 2020-2021
    • 7th in the Vendée Globe 2024-2025