Thomas RUYANT

At the beginning of the 2000s, he became enthusiastic about competitive sailing aboard single-handed dinghies, the Laser, then the First Class 8. Finally in a Mumm 30, he discovered the open sea, notably with the crews of the Défi Jean Bart and then Courrier Dunkerque.

When Thomas had just finished his STAPS studies, he discovered a Mini 6.50 in a car park in Dunkirk that he could buy. He renovated it and took the plunge. In 2007, he participated in the Mini Transat, his first major solo experience, which convinced him to continue.

In 2009, he won the Transat 6.50 between La Rochelle and Salvador de Bahia in Brazil. His prototype carries the colours of Faber France and the Communauté Urbaine de Dunkerque. In 2010, he won the Route du Rhum in the Class 40 category after a fantastic Atlantic crossing. This victory concluded a sporting season in which he had won all the competitions on the circuit. Eager to perfect his apprenticeship in single-handed ocean racing, the sailor from the north of France followed this up with three seasons in the Solitaire du Figaro.

In 2015, he was called by the Le Souffle du Nord association to compete in the 2016-2017 Vendée Globe. In his first IMOCA race, the Transat Jacques Vabre, Thomas finished, with his friend Adrien Hardy, in a fine fourth place. He then set off on his first round-the-world race with the ambition of being competitive and carrying the message of the NGO Project Imagine, which highlights everyday heroes. Thomas is playing with the best in the sport. Unfortunately his momentum was cut off off New Zealand, the blue and yellow IMOCA boat literally broke apart. He did not abandon his boat and lived through two days of anguish, with his engine idling and his hand on the alarm button, before reaching the coastline, although we still don't know how!

Since this abandonment, Thomas Ruyant has done everything possible to take the start of the 2020 Vendée Globe in high performance conditions, which is what he is now aiming for. He has succeeded in his goal, slipping into fifth place in the rankings. He will have spent two-thirds of the race in the leading trio and will have shown exceptional fighting spirit during his 80 days of racing.

Following the Vendée Globe, Thomas has not stopped climbing the podiums on the IMOCA GLOBE SERIES circuit, whether as part of a crew in The Ocean Race Europe, sailing double-handed or single-handed. Most recently, he won the Route du Rhum, after a fierce battle with Charlie Dalin on Apivia.

But Thomas is not to be outdone: just a few months later, his new IMOCA FOR PEOPLE was launched, with the ultimate goal of winning the 2024 Vendée Globe. While he waits for the solo round the world race, it is with his loyal co-skipper Morgan Lagravière that he is resuming the 2023 double-handed season on his new boat. After a season full of twists and turns, between victories and unplanned refits, Thomas broke the record for the most distance covered in 24 hours single-handed on a 60-foot monohull during the Return to Base, before tearing his mainsail, which penalised him for achieving a good result.

2013: Rolex Fastnet Race - 4th in Class40
2013: Transat Jacques Vabre - Retired in Class40
2013: Solitaire du Figaro - 25th
2013: Tour de Bretagne à la voile - 4th
2012: Solitaire du Figaro - 16th
2011: Transat Jacques Vabre - Retired
2011: Solitaire du Figaro - 21th
2010: Record SNSM - Winner
2010: Route du Rhum - Winner in Class40
2010: Normandy Channel Race - Winner in Class40
2009 : Transat 6.50 - Winner
2009 : Tour de France à la Voile - Winner