A French-Japanese duo set for the Transat Café de L'or

Louis Duc teams up with Masa Suzuki for the Transat Café de l'Or Le Havre Normandie © DR

French skipper Louis Duc, 26th in the last Vendée Globe, will team up with Japanese sailor Masa Suzuki for the Transat Café de l'Or Le Havre Normandie.

Over 4,350 miles (8,000 km) from the English Channel to the Caribbean, Duc - at the helm of Fives Group - Lantana Environnement - will introduce Suzuki to the world of IMOCA sailing. This transatlantic race could mark the first step towards the Japanese sailor's ambition to compete in the 2028 Vendée Globe.

More than a sporting challenge, this partnership is about sharing experience, discovery and performance - the values that unite these two sailors from opposite sides of the globe.

A rising Japanese skipper

In 2018, at just 33, Masa Suzuki left everything behind in Japan to pursue his offshore sailing dream in France, starting with the 2019 Mini Transat. Since then, he has steadily built his reputation in the world of ocean racing. In 2023, he secured a podium finish on the Globe 40, a double-handed round-the-world race in Class40. Now, his sights are set even higher: a solo, non-stop circumnavigation in the IMOCA fleet.

Voices from onboard

Louis Duc:
"I'm really looking forward to sailing this transatlantic with Masa. He has an impressive record, including a Class40 round-the-world race. It's always exciting to discover a new teammate and a new way of sailing.

Communication might be a bit tricky at times, but he speaks some English, and so do I - it could even make things fun! He seems both kind and determined, and I'm convinced we'll have a great race together."

Masa Suzuki:
"I've long admired Louis for his energy and his ability to keep pushing forward, whatever the circumstances. He has always been an inspiration to me, at sea and ashore.

Sharing this transat with him is a fantastic opportunity to learn, not only about handling an IMOCA but also about the mindset and determination required for the Vendée Globe. This race is an important milestone on my road to 2028."

From wreck to racehorse

Five years ago, Louis Duc took on the challenge of restoring this IMOCA, which was then little more than a wreck, with the audacious goal of racing the 2020 Vendée Globe. Against all odds, he succeeded. Today, this Farr design is preparing for a new chapter in the hands of Masa Suzuki.

As the Transat Café de l'Or sets sail, this unusual Franco-Japanese duo is ready to write the next page of their offshore adventure - proof that in sailing, as in life, one chapter closes and another begins.