NICOLAS TROUSSEL
Sailing

NICOLAS TROUSSEL

2 minutes

Sailing’s not only in Nicolas Troussel’s cells...it’s been in his sights (literally) since he can remember. Born + raised in Morlaix, on the North coast of Brittany, he grew up facing the ocean - and has spent his lifetime aboard, and dreaming of, boats.

From family trips to the Isles of Scilly to watching iconic races happen in his backyard—like the Route du Rhum and the Tour de l’Europe—it’s easy to understand his lifelong obsession with sailing, and dream to race. He cut his teeth training in the Baie de Morlaix - a well known proving ground for historied offshore racers. And if that was some foreshadowing, has evolved into an incredibly skilled and celebrated racer who’s about to take on his greatest challenge yet.

child in yellow rain gear on sailing boat

Since the take off of his professional career in 2004—catalyzed by his win of the Transat AG2R aboard the Figaro 2—he’s seen the podium a generous amount of time in international races spanning the spectrum of intensity and challenge; surprising the industry with his skill and strategy on the water.

All of his work is culminating with the Vendée Globe , noted as the most difficult and challenging solo round the world sailing race. Called "The Everest of the seas".  The race exposes skippers to the most treacherous and relentless ocean conditions of them all, With towering waves, freezing winds and big storms. The Vendée Globe happens once every 4 years, the race starts and ends in Les Sables d’Olonne, France.

Starting the 8th of November, this is the biggest challenge of Nicolas’s life.

In his words: ‘The greatest offshore race. The pinnacle of offshore sailing.’

We’re proud to be on board with Nicolas as he pushes his limits in this incredible challenge. 

Fast Facts (and Personal Achievements):

  • 9 Solitaire du Figaro (win in 2006 and 2008)
  • 7 TourVoile (6 podium finishes)
  • 4 Transat AG2R (win in 2004)
  • 2 Route du Rhum (2nd in Class40 in 2010)
  • 4 Transat Jacques Vabre
  • 1 Rolex Fastnet Race (2nd in IRC in 2019)

:Follow Nicolas Troussel as he battles his way through the Vendée Globe with Live Updates.

Photos courtesy of  Eloi Stichelbaut / polaRYSE / CORUM L’Épargne

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