Allagrande Mapei Racing (ITA)

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He's nicknamed the king of transatlantic races! It has to be said that the sailor from Dunkirk, born on 24 May 1981 in Saint-Pol-sur-Mer, has won many of them: Mini-Transat 2009, Route du Rhum in Class 40 in 2010 and in IMOCA in 2022, Transat Jacques Vabre with Morgan Lagravière in 2021 and 2023, Transat AG2R La Mondiale with Adrien Hardy in 2018. He recently finished the Vendée Globe in seventh place, after finishing his first solo round the world race in sixth place in 2020 and retiring off New Zealand in 2016. 

One-time record holder of the 24-hour solo monohull world record with 539.94 miles sailed in 2024, Thomas is also an entrepreneur at the head of the TR Racing ocean racing team, which fielded the two VULNERABLE yachts in the last Vendée Globe.

In The Ocean Race Europe, he will be handing over the reins of his boat to his new skipper Ambrogio Beccaria, and in the best possible way, racing at the highest level. Thomas Ruyant and his team are currently building a new IMOCA, which will be launched in 2026, with the aim of racing around the world in The Ocean Race in 2027.

Morgan Lagravière is a French offshore sailor renowned for his expertise across multiple disciplines. Initially selected for the French Olympic sailing team in the 49er class, he later excelled in solo offshore races. He emerged as a top rookie in the Solitaire du Figaro in 2011, earning victories in both that the event rookie ranking and the Tour de Bretagne.

In 2014, he joined the Safran Sailing Team and became skipper of the groundbreaking IMOCA Safran II, the first foiling monohull. His first Vendée Globe campaign in 2016 ended early due to technical problems, but he went on to win major offshore double-handed races — the Transat Jacques Vabre in both 2021 and 2023 — alongside Thomas Ruyant. Morgan Lagravière did participate as helm/trimmer in Gitana Team’s 2020–21 attempt at the Jules Verne Trophy aboard the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild.

Manon Peyre is a 23-year-old French sailor specializing in the 49erFX class. Originally from the South of France and trained at Club La Pelle in Marseille, she has already made a name for herself as a world-class athlete, becoming Junior World Champion in 2023. A strong tactician with exceptional skills at the helm, Manon brings sharp instincts to close-quarters racing.

Though new to offshore sailing, she recently joined the IMOCA circuit for The Ocean Race Europe 2025. Alongside her sporting achievements, she is pursuing a Master’s degree in International Business in Paris Dauphine University , blending athletic excellence with academic rigor.

Pierre Bouras is a French photographer and videographer with a deep passion for capturing the dynamic beauty of the ocean, specialising in sport, sailing, and outdoor adventure. Based in Brittany, Pierre has spent over a decade documenting some of the world’s most prestigious sailing events and working alongside leading athletes and teams, including campaigns for the Vendée Globe and The Ocean Race.

With a background rooted in visual storytelling and a sharp eye for detail, Pierre’s work transcends simple documentation. Each image and film he produces is rich with emotion, energy, and a strong sense of place - transporting audiences to the very heart of the action. His expertise spans from high-speed offshore racing to intimate, behind-the-scenes moments, offering a unique and comprehensive perspective on the world of competitive sailing.