2016 Vendée Globe – Ruyant sailing with Hardy in Transatlantic Race

by Vendée Globe on 16 Jul 2015 2016 Vendée Globe – Thomas Ruyant took advantage of the launch of his 60-foot IMOCA monohull, Le Souffle du Nord to announce Adrien Hardy will be his co-skipper for the next Transat Jacques Vabre. The two sailors will be in the colours of the Imagine project for this double-handed transatlantic crossing between Le Havre and Itajai (Brazil). The association, Le Souffle du Nord continues to bring together stakeholders from the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region to accompany Thomas Ruyant in the next Vendée Globe.

Thomas Ruyant and Adrien Hardy have been on more or less the same path throughout their sailing career. Both sailors successfully learnt their trade in the Mini 6.50 circuit. They then moved to Class 40 and the Figaro Bénéteau 2 and often sailed against each other while training off Lorient.

When the time came to make a choice, Thomas Ruyant did not have to think about it for long and invited Adrien to join him in the Transat Jacques Vabre. “We are friends,” explained the sailor from Northern France. “That is a key element in this type of adventure. A Transat Jacques Vabre takes a long time. On top of that, Adrien has a lot of experience. He has acquired a lot of technical and race knowledge. I’m convinced that he will adapt quickly to the 60-foot monohull. We are rookies in this field but are eager to learn quickly. I should add that Adrien is someone, who is calm and collected. He fits in perfectly with the Imagine project, which is based around the idea of helping others by making an effort and this is something we wish to convey too.”

As for Adrien Hardy, he is delighted to share this new experience on a new boat with Thomas Ruyant. “I didn’t hesitate for a moment when Thomas asked me to join him. It came at the right time for me. It’s a huge change after racing on a Figaro, which is something I have been doing for quite some time. I’m really motivated. We don’t have complementary skills, as we’re both similar, having been through the same experiences. That is going to be one of our strengths.”

The Imagine project monohull was launched this week. Thomas and Adrien will be out there sailing together throughout the summer. Le Souffle du Nord will be taking part in her first competition with the Rolex Fastnet Race, which starts from Cowes (Solent) on 16th August.

The race programme for the 60-foot monohull, Le Souffle du Nord:
- 16th Aug: Rolex Fastnet Race
- Mid September: Presentation of the boat in Dunkirk
- 26th -27th Sept: Azimut Challenge (Lorient)
- 25th Oct: Start of the Transat Jacques Vabre, double-handed Atlantic crossing between Le Havre and Itajai (Brazil)
- 6th Dec: Transat BtoB (qualifier for the Vendée Globe)