The skippers
Vincent Riou participated in his first Transat Jacques Vabre in 1993, at the age of 21. He was like a youngster next to Yves Parlier, Loïck Peyron and Alain Gautier. At the time, the race was held single-handed and despite a major leak on board the boat, the young sailor managed to complete the course on Maître Coq. At the time, his competitors had no idea that he would show all his talent by winning the Vendée Globe a few years later.
And let's talk about the Vendée Globe! At the age of 42, Vincent Riou is one of the emblematic figures of the solo round the world race. It all began in 2000, when he was the préparateur for Michel Desjoyeaux and played a big role in the famous sailor's victory. So much so that for the 2004 edition, the sponsor entrusted him with the helm of his monohull. It was his first participation, and after a fierce battle with Le Cam, he won the race and earned the nickname "Vincent le Terrible".
He then started building a new monohull for the 2008-2009 edition. After 57 days of racing, his path crossed again with Le Cam, when the latter turned over off Cape Horn. Vincent managed to recover him in extremis, but damaged his rigging in the process. The mast held for a few hours before collapsing a few miles from Tierra del Fuego. Forced to abandon, he was ranked 3rd e ex aequo by the jury. For the 2012-2013 edition, he is the only former winner on the starting line, but will be forced to abandon again when he will hit a metal buoy drifting in the Atlantic.
In 2013, he took the helm of his monohull to participate in the Transat Jacques Vabre, with Jean Le Cam. The two men will win the Imoca race. In addition to his nine victories on the Imoca circuit, his record of achievements reveals his versatility: from the Laser to the Solitaire du Figaro, from the First Class 8 to the ocean-going multihull and Diam 24, he has done almost everything.
Vincent Riou, in addition to being an excellent sailor, has many strings to his bow that have enabled him to win great victories: trimmer, strategist, technician, handyman...
He will be accompanied by Sébastien Col on this Transat Jacques Vabre, with whom he won the Artemis Challenge and the Rolex Fastnet Race.
Sébastien Col is one of the best international match racing specialists, of which he was crowned vice world champion in 2008. From 2007 to 2009, he was also the helmsman of K Challenge, while being attracted by ocean racing. Several great sailors have already asked him to sail with them, notably for the Transat Jacques Vabre. And his qualities as a helmsman and tactician are not for nothing. In 2011, he finished 4th e alongside François Gabart, before that, in 2007, he was the co-skipper of Kito de Pavant, who won a 6 e place.
But above all Sebastien Col is a simple sailor, despite his international activities. Moreover, both men share a passion for technique and the search for performance.
Sebastien col - credit: Eloi Stichelbaut
The boat
Since 2010, the new PRB has won the Europa Warm'Up 2012, the Trophée Azimut, the Rolex Fastnet Race and the Artemis Challenge 2011. Vincent already mastered the wing masts, and the combination with outriggers is easier to use solo. Everything has been optimized so that the boat is controllable, fast and typical "solo" and "round the world"."
Technical specifications
| Class | Imoca |
| Sail number | FRA 85 |
| Architect | VPLP - Verdier |
| Job site | CDK |
| Year of launch | 2010 |
| Length | 18,28 m |
| Width | 5,5 m |
| Draft | 4,50 m |
| Mast height | 27,4 m |
| Keel sail | Mechanically welded steel |
| Upwind sail area | 320 m2 |
| Sail area downwind | 600 m2 |
| Home port | Les Sables d'Olonne |
| Source of energy production on board | Diesel engine |
Credit: Yvan Zedda
Awards
| Race | Skippers | Running time | Ranking |
| Rolex Fastnet Race (16/08/2015) | Vincent Riou & Sebastien Col | 1 | |
| Route du Rhum (02/11/2014) | Vincent Riou | TDR | |
| Transat Jacques Vabre 2013 (07/11/2013) | Vincent Riou & Jean Le Cam | 17d 0h 41' 47'' | 1 |
| Rolex Fastnet Race (11/08/2013) | Vincent Riou & Jean Le Cam | 2J 20h 05mn 56s | 5 |
| Vendée Globe 2012-2013 (10/11/2012) | Vincent Riou | TDR | |
| Europa Warm'Up (19/05/2012) | Vincent Riou | 1 | |
| Transat B to B (05/12/2011) | Vincent Riou | 3 | |
| Transat Jacques Vabre 2011 (30/10/2011) | Vincent Riou | TDR | |
| Route du Rhum (31/10/2010) | Vincent Riou | 14 days 18h 3' 52'' | 5 |
