| Age | 42 (11/28/82) |
|---|---|
| Top performance | Double-winner of the Solitaire du Figaro (2009 and 2017) |
| Joined Imoca on | 2015 |
| Team | Team Holcim-PRB |
| Base | Lorient (FRANCE) |
Born in a family of sailors, Nicolas fell into the great pot of sailing at a very young age. In parallel with his studies in management and administration (Master 2), he successfully competed in regattas both in France and abroad. His passion for sailing led him to take part in the Solitaire du Figaro in 2007. This edition will be crowned by his victory in the Bizuth ranking.
Tenacious and committed, the talented young man trains at the Pôle Finistère ocean racing center in Port-La-Forêt. In 2009, an exceptional group of sailors returning from the Vendée Globe entered the Solitaire du Figaro. Desjoyeaux, Beyou, Eliès and Le Cléac'h came to defend their title but Nicolas led the race from start to finish. Intuitive, rigorous and determined, the young sailor brilliantly won this edition, at only 26 years old and for his third participation.
Since this victory, Nicolas wears the Generali colors in the pure family tradition since his father, 35 years earlier, had done the same. His quest for excellence and his professionalism have only occasionally brought him down from the podiums, ensuring his sponsor all the benefits of a successful partnership both at sea and on land. Indeed, the talented sailor knows how to become a man of communication to enhance a win-win relationship with his investors. So it is with complete authenticity that he swaps his foulies and boots for a shirt to go and tell his adventures, his fears as well as his moments of ecstasy, or simply to let people discover his wonderful environment: the one where you are always chasing the horizon line...
In 2017, Nicolas had a flawless season on the Figaro Beneteau circuit: he won the Solitaire du Figaro for the second time, the Solo Maitre CoQ for the third time, the Tour de Bretagne (also his second victory) and thus became French Ocean Racing Champion.
He then participated in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 aboard Turn the Tide on Plastic then joined the crew of the Mirpuri Foundation for The Ocean Race Europe 2021, before sharing the Transat Jacques Vabre with Samantha Davies.
In 2022, he replaces Clarisse Crémer during her pregnancy at Banque Populaire and impresses with his fourth place in the Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race then his 10th place in the Vendée Arctique race.
In 2023, he then joined Boris Herrmann's Team Malizia, which finished on the third step of the podium in The Ocean Race and beat the absolute record for distance covered by a monohull in 24 hours (641.13 miles).
After the crewed round-the-world race, Nicolas Lunven is back at the helm of the Verdier Holcim-PRB design to prepare for his first solo round-the-world race, the Vendée Globe, which starts in November 2024.
2021: The Ocean Race Europe - 1st (VO65 Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team)
2015: Record SNSM - 2nd
2014: Round Canary Island Race - 2nd
2014: Transat AG2R - 5th
2014: Volvo Ocean Race - Une étape
2013: Championnat du Monde de J80 - 7th
2013: Rolex Fastnet Race - 3rd Class40
2013: Solo Concarneau - 2nd
2012: Solo Concarneau - 1st
2012: Rolex Sydney - Hobbart - 2nd
2012: La Solitaire - 3rd
2012: Championnat de France de Course au Large en Solitaire - 3rd
2012: Championnat de France de Course au Large en Solitaire - 3rd
2011: Solo Les Sables - 1st
2011: La Solitaire - 4th
2011: Championnate de France de Course au Large en Solitaire - 3rd
2011: Rolex Sydney - Hobbart - 5th
2011: Transat Bénodet - Martinique - 5th
2011: Tour de France à la Voile - 8th
2010: Solo Les Sables - 1st
2010: Transat AG2R - 6th
2010: Tour de France à la Voile - 9th
2009: Solo Quiberon - 3rd
2009: Tour de France à la Voile - 4th
2009: Tour de Bretagne - 4th
2009: La Solitaire - 1st
2008: Transat AG2R - 5th
2008: Tour de France à la Voile - 2nd
2007: Tour de Bretagne - 1st
2007: La Solitaire - 14th / 1st Bizuth
2007: Tour de France à la Voile - 4th
| Name | HOLCIM - PRB |
|---|---|
| Sail number | FRA 85 |
| Architect | Guillaume Verdier |
| Construction | 2022, Carrington, Southampton (GB) |
| Length | 18,28 m |
| Beam | 5,5 m |
| Draught | 4,5 m |
| Weight | NC |
| Mast height | 29 m |
| Mast type | Wing mast |
| Foils | Yes |
| Sail area max. | |
| Upwind | NC |
| Downwind | NC |
The Doldrums might cause a big shake-up at the front of the fleet and watch out for Charlie Dalin are two of the key messages from Simon Fisher as this fascinating Vendée Globe reaches the end of its 10th day.
•••Nico Lunven, the skipper of Holcim-PRB, has come storming back into the top-5 on the third day of the Vendée Globe after taking a lone option west of Cape Finisterre.
•••The Vendée Globe is not only an exceptional human and sporting adventure. Behind each race also lies a major scientific contribution, often unknown to the general public.
•••
