Figarists in the lead
The race, which has welcomed some of the big names in sailing such as Desjoyeaux, Le Cam, Cammas, Le Cléac'h, Beyou and Caudrelier, will be welcoming 19 duos in this edition, ready to discover new ones, experienced sailors or young talents in search of recognition in the world of sailing.
There will be many figarists, who know the crossing like no one else, starting with the winners of the 2016 edition, Erwan Tabarly and Thierry Chabagny (Armor Lux - Gedimat). It will be their 3 e participation together and they hope to achieve a historic double. Gildas Mahé (Breizh Cola) and Adrien Hardy (Agir Recouvrement), respectively 2nd and 3rd of the previous edition, will also come to take their revenge, accompanied by Nicolas Troussel (winner in 2010) for the first, and Thomas Ruyant for the 2nd.
But we'll also have to count on Corentin Douguet and Christian Ponthieu (NF Habitat), Yoann Richomme (winner of the Solitaire 2016) with Martin Le Pape (Macif), Eric Péron and Miguel Danet (Le macaron french pastries), Pierre Leboucher and Christopher Pratt (Guyot Environnement), Ronan Treussart and Simon Troel (Les perles de Saint-Barth) and Alexis Loison, recent winner of the Solo Maître Coq in duo with Anthony Marchand (Groupe Royer Secours Populaire). Finally, Yannick Livory will be present for the 10 e times on the event and will be accompanied by his brother Erwan (Interaction).
From Vendée Globe to Figaro
Three Vendée Globe skippers will be taking part in this 2018 edition: Romain Attanasio (Brittany - CMB Espoir), who will be co-skippering Pierre Rhimbault and who will be giving the young Figaro racer the benefit of his experience (5 participations).
Morgan Lagravière (Brittany - CMB Performance) and Thomas Ruyant (Agir Recouvrement) will be taking part in the double-handed transatlantic race for the first time. They will be alongside Sébastien Simon and Adrien Hardy. Serious duos vying for victory.
Pledge and more pledge..
There will also be many newcomers, as 17 skippers will be taking part in the Transat AG2R La Mondiale for the first time. In addition to Morgan Lagravière and Thomas Ruyant, there are also skippers from the Mini circuit, such as the youngest of the race, Erwan Le Draoulec 21 years old (Concarneau Entreprendre), winner of the last Mini-Transat in series and who is embarking with another young sailor, Loïs Berrehar. Also to be mentioned are Thomas Dolan and Tanguy Le Bouroullec (Smurfit Kappa - Cerfrance), Mathieu Claveau and Pierre Loulier (Les Frigos Solidaires), Frédéric Denis and his sidekick Benjamin Dutreux (Sateco - Team Vendée Formation). This will be the first time they will be crossing the Atlantic in the Figaro.
This 14 e edition will also welcome 3 women, also from the Mini circuit. A % female duo will be composed of Justine Mettraux and Isabelle Joschke (Teamwork), while Clarisse Crémer (3 e of the Mini Transat 2017) will form, with his companion Tanguy Le Turquais (Everial), the only mixed pair in the race.
