Thomas Ruyant and TR Racing Target The Ocean Race
by The Ocean Race, October 1, 03:36 PDT
November 10, 2024
Thomas Ruyant and his IMOCA © Eloi Stichelbaut / polaRYSE
The TR Racing Team, led by skipper Thomas Ruyant, who is preparing for his third Vendée Globe set to start on November 10, has announced plans to compete in The Ocean Race Europe 2025 aboard the VULNERABLE designed by Koch / Finot Conq, followed by participation in The Ocean Race 2027, a prestigious fully-crewed around-the-world race with stopovers.
This represents a new venture for the entire team, aligning with the international expansion of their long-time partner, Advens.
“While our total focus is on the Vendée Globe right now, we are actively strategizing for the next three seasons,” states Thomas Gavériaux, CEO of TRR. “After Thomas and Sam Goodchild’s solo circumnavigation this winter, we will transition to fully-crewed racing, starting with The Ocean Race Europe in 2025, followed by The Ocean Race Atlantic between New York and Barcelona in 2026, and then onto The Ocean Race in 2027. We will compete in The Ocean Race Europe using Thomas’ current vessel while also designing and constructing a new boat for 2026.”
Thomas Ruyant participated in the first edition of The Ocean Race Europe in 2021 and has a proven track record spanning 15 years in short-handed offshore sailing, including wins in the Tour de France à la Voile and Mini Transat in 2009, a Class 40 victory in the Route du Rhum in 2010, and more recently, wins in the IMOCA category at the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2021 and 2023, as well as the Route du Rhum in 2022.
“While our main focus is on the Vendée Globe starting in a few weeks, we are also starting to consider what comes next with great enthusiasm,” comments Thomas Ruyant. “With three events lined up in The Ocean Race for 2025, 2026, and 2027, we are looking at a significant shift from our current solo racing to competing around Europe and then globally. I am thrilled and eager to tackle this challenge with the entire team.”
“We will need to assemble a strong crew and prepare the boat for this different racing format. Fortunately, with IMOCA, we have a diverse range of racing options, catering to both single-handed and fully-crewed events. This transition will be fascinating and exhilarating. These incredible IMOCA machines are remarkable but can be challenging to sail solo, and with a crew, I believe we can unlock their full potential, which is one of the most exciting aspects of this endeavor.”
