Thomas Ruyant is in the process of winning a huge gamble. Deciding to build a new boat for the Vendée Globe without a partner looked like a step too far. But the sailor from Northern France knew what he was doing. Unless there is a major upset, he should be lining up for the 2020 race.

The launching of Koji Shiraishi’s new IMOCA DMG MORI encompassed a beautiful baptism that respected Japanese traditions as well as those of the West. After the obligatory bottle of champagne which was broken on on the bow of the Japanese skipper's new monohull, Kojiro Shiraishi and the CEO of DMG MORI also broke open a keg of sake which they then shared with the technical team and guests who were invited for the celebrations. But for Kojiro, now his boat is in the water, the race against the clock really does begin.

Many people gathered in Lorient for the launch of Isabelle Joschke's remodelled MACSF monohull. In addition to many representatives of the sponsors who came to share the moment, there in the thick of things was Morgan Lagravière who will be Joschke’s co-skipper on the upcoming Transat Jacques Vabre.