Forced to remain in the dock while they waited for storms Ciaran and Domingos to allow them to take off, the Imoca – the Vendée Globe class of boats – were impatient. And they did not delay the transatlantic crossing after departure. In 2021 already winning duo Thomas Ruyant and Morgan LaGraviere (for the People) won on Sunday 19 November 16e Edition of the Transat Jacques-Vabre on the latest generation Imoca.
” A few days after we left, we got very burnt out and found ourselves in the middle of the Canary Islands. There we looked at each other and told ourselves that we were on the fastest monohull in the world. It was pure fun, a magical moment “, – enjoyed Thomas Ruyant in the comments after nightfall Le FigaroGreetings “Special Boat” which took them across the Atlantic in 21 hours and 32 minutes in 11 days of racing.
For the 42-year-old northern sailor, this victory is synonymous with a double on the “Route du Café”, but it also marks an unprecedented hat-trick in offshore racing: Thomas Ruyant won the 2021 Transat Jacques-Vabre (already Morgan Lagraviere) and the Route du Rhum solo in 2022 . A careful and charismatic sailor, he took this new victory on the 18-meter monohull, launched last March and destined for the Vendée Globe 2024, a prestigious round-the-world race. Imoka category and its main goal – took 6th place in the last edition. ” I know I’ve won the last three transatlantics and that makes me one of the favorites for the race, but it’s a different playing field. “, – said Thomas Ruyant.
Behind the sailing ‘for the people’, second place in Imoca was decided between For The Planet and Paprec Arkéa (Yoan Richom and Yan Elies), who eventually crossed the line in second place in Fort-de-France Bay. Completing the podium, For The Planet, ridden by Britain’s Sam Goodchild and Antoine Koch, is the former mount of Thomas Ruyant (then LinkedOut) and is part of the Northern Captain team. “Two sailors from one team on the podium, that’s greatSalute to Morgan LaGraviere while waiting to cross the line. We are in the desired dynamic at the beginning of the year, with this whole two-boat team. »
In the Ultim category, with 32-meter multihulls, Maxi Banque Populaire XI won the Transat Jacques Vabre on Monday, while Solidaires en Peloton won Thursday’s Ocean Fifty (15-meter multihull). If many Imocas are still at sea, only the 40 class remains to make their podium. These 12m monohulls, in the latter category, should cross the line mid-next week in Martinique.
Source: Le Monde
Jason Root is a sports aficionado and a writer at Run Down Bulletin. With a passion for athletic competition and a wealth of knowledge on all things sports, he provides in-depth coverage of the biggest games and events in the world of sports.
