Vendée Globe

Nationality : French Lives in Loctudy (Finistère) Age : born on the 9th January 1972 Situation : Married, one child Vendée Globe achievements First time he has taken part in the Vendée Globe

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From the wings to the centre of the stage

Discreet and retiring, Vincent Riou is nevertheless a well-rounded yachtsman, who can rely on his range of skills to make the sparks fly in single-handed racing. A real Breton mariner, he got involved at an early age and achieved a fine list of successes in inshore competitions, which were to open the door wide to ocean racing. French Champion in Match Racing (in 1994), twice French Champion in First Class 8 (1997 and 1998), Vincent was also regularly involved in the Figaro circuit, where he obtained some very honourable successes. Particularly in 2002, when like clockwork, he won fourth place in the Single-handed event and in the AG2R Transat. But his classmates had already noticed that Vincent was different from them: he was eager to take to the high seas, which he discovered during the Transat Jacques Vabre, which was to be an initiation for him in more ways than one in 1993. Since this first race on the high seas, Vincent has always been determined to give himself the technical ability, which is vital to all those, who want to push back their horizons.

A yachtsman, who turns his hand to anything
In 2001-02, he followed closely the adventure of the Vendée Globe in the best way possible. Vincent is one of the craftsmen behind the birth of PRB, giving a helping hand to Michel Desjoyeaux throughout the construction process and during the preparations of the monohull. He also showed his talent by helping - remotely - Michel with the makeshift repairs when his engine broke down in the middle of the Southern Seas. He thus proved that he had more than one string to his bow. On board electronics, computer equipment, mechanics… the yachtsman turns his hand to everything. Single-handed sailing seemed to the next obvious step. Moreover, Vincent studied in great detail the weather charts to extend his knowledge. Knowledge, which came in very handy during the 2002 Rum Race, in which Vincent acted as route planner for Mich’Desj’, the race winner.

At the same time, Vincent was always active to get his own project moving: taking part in the Vendée Globe on board PRB – following in the footsteps of Isabelle Autissier and Michel Desjoyeaux. Thus going from the wings to centre stage of ocean racing. The Breton has already obtained some great results on the 60-foot Open circuit, where he is now clearly seen as a rising star. In other words, he knows his boat like the back of his hand and he cannot wait to get on board to get underway on the journey past the three capes…So that is Vincent, a serious contender for a place on the winners’ rostrum!

2004 - Aboard PRB
The Transat : retired after losing his mast
The Calais 1000 miles: 4th
2003 - Aboard PRB
Calais Round Britain Race : 3rd
Fastnet Rolex Race : 2nd
Transat Jacques Vabre : 4th (with Jérémie Beyou)
Atlantic Challenge: 2nd
2002 - In a Figaro
4th AG2R Transat with Eric Drouglazet
4th Generali Mediterranean
4th Single-handed Figaro
2001 - Season on the Bonduelle multihull (skipper Jean Le Cam)
Transat Jacques Vabre with Bernard Stamm : 8th
2000 - Prepared the 60-foot PRB for Michel Desjoyeaux, the Vendée Globe winner
1999 - Obelix Trophy in a Figaro : 1st
Member of the French Champion Figaro crew
1998 - Bénéteau 25 European Circuit : 2nd
French Champion in First Class 8
1997 - French Champion in First Class 8
1996 - Round Finistère: 1st
1st Solo Télégramme Race Mini Fastnet : 1st
French Champion in First Class 8
1994 - French Champion in Match Racing
1993 - Transat Jacques Vabre : 6th

How the first half of the race has gone > Read
Vincent leading the way > Read
Vincent's little alarm call > Read

What’s been going on since the finish of the 5th Vendée Globe? > Read
First signs of the Deep South > Read
Five against one! > Read
The gang of newcomers > Read

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