Congratulations! You have just completed the 2024 Vendée Globe, a gruelling 45,000km non-stop single handed race around the world.  For anyone new to the race how would you describe it and why should they be a race fan?

TR - The Vendée Globe is much more than just a sailing race. It’s a huge challenge. It is not for nothing that we call this the Everest of the seas. What makes this race beautiful is that it is very simple to understand and its principle has not changed in 10 editions: 1 woman or a man, 1 boat, 1 round the world non-stop. This race is an endless succession of powerful moments, unique human and sporting emotions, that no other race provides. 

Why is the Vendee Globe important to you, Thomas, this was the third time you’ve competed, what keeps bringing you back …. does it get in your blood?   

TR - I’m not done with this race! My first stopped in the middle, with my boat broken in two off the coast of New Zealand. During my second, I had all the cards in my hand to succeed and unfortunately, I had to do part of the race without foils, which was very penalizing. This third time I had an excellent start to the race, living up to my status as a favorite, but I missed a key opportunity upon entering the Indian Ocean, allowing the eventual winners to break away. I took full responsibility for my strategic choices and fought hard in the Southern Ocean, managing to take the lead in the chasing pack in the Pacific. After 47 days of intense racing, I reached Cape Horn in 4th place, hoping for a smoother ascent of the Atlantic. But the weather turned against me, and the loss of my J2 sail deprived me of another chance to catch up with the leaders. At that moment, I realized that the rest of the race would be a matter of compromises and that I was no longer competing on equal terms with my rivals. And yet, I can’t bring myself to hate it - I admit. This race makes me proud—proud to have finished it, proud to have been part of this extraordinary edition. All the sailors ahead of me are exceptional racers, revealed and shaped by the Solitaire du Figaro. They have elevated this race to rare heights. I had the machine I wanted to take on this challenge.

Single handed, non-stop around the world - The Vendee Globe is the ultimate endurance test – how do you keep focussed and pushing yourself for over two months non-stop racing, you’re even racing when you’re sleeping how is that possible?  

TR - The Vendée Globe is an endurance race. You have to know how to measure your efforts, know yourself well to know when you can push the cursor. You also need to know your boat very well, to know how much you can use it. The fact that this was my 3rd Vendée Globe allowed me to know myself well and helped me manage this. I had the machine I wanted to take up this challenge. It didn’t betray me, thanks to the work done upstream by the TR Racing teams.

Do you experience beauty as you race around the world? What was the best and worst moment of the 2024 edition of the race for you?

TR - We are lucky, during a world tour, to be able to touch the beauty of nature. In the deep south in particular, but also at Cape Horn, where the landscapes are splendid. Despite the harsh conditions, the ocean offers moments of pure beauty—starry nights, breathtaking sunrises, and the mesmerizing sight of albatrosses soaring over the Southern Ocean. Losing my J2 in the Atlantic was a tough setback, reducing my chances of staying with the leaders. But sailing is also about adapting and pushing forward despite the unexpected.

What ways did your shore crew at TR Racing support you as you raced around the globe?

TR - I know they follow me and knowing that they are behind this project wholeheartedly gives me crazy energy. We have regular discussions and I know that I can count on them in case of problems.

With modern communication did you ever feel alone, has the solitude of the offshore racer been lost, and is that good or bad?

TR - Modern means of communication effectively allow us to stay in touch with our loved ones. This is important and allows us to maintain a strong connection with the land. However, in complicated times, we are always alone on board, facing the elements, and with no one to help us. At these times, we can always feel loneliness, without doubt... The Vendée Globe remains a solo round-the-world trip and lives up to its name. We are alone on board our boats, facing the elements.

Is there a treat that you always carry onboard for the tough moments / or to celebrate the small wins?

TR - My team planned little “surprises” to cheer me up, or help me celebrate beautiful moments. Whether it’s comfort food, small gifts, photos. On the Transat Jacques Vabre, with Morgan, we had a small vial of rum!  On this edition of the race, I particularly appreciated our advent calendar. Every day before 25 December we had little gifts, such as drawings and letters from my children, small bottles of rum for the hardest or happiest moments ;) sweets,... in short, anything to boost our spirits!   

Running a two boat program is unusual, what is the dynamic like between you at TR Racing?   Is it like Formula 1 teams where there are strict team rules to follow or are you both free to pursue your own goals?

TR - We prepared for the Vendée Globe together, we trained a lot with two boats. We thought about this last year before the Vendée Globe together. We also shared all our debriefings and our analysis team. But once we both crossed the start line we’re competitors and Sam was a fierce competitor.  We shared the joy of each other’s successes and the grief when Sam’s sail tore after mine…  

You carry the Vulnerable statement on your sails, what does that statement mean to you?

TR - Since 2005, I have always used my performances to support social causes, from Le Souffle du Nord to LinkedOut. With Alexandre Fayeulle and Advens, we aimed to go even further by placing people and the planet at the heart of our commitment. Alongside Sam Goodchild - a standout revelation of the Vendée Globe - I championed the idea that vulnerability is a strength for our societies. I am proud that this race has helped raise awareness of this important issue and grateful to Alexandre for its commitment and innovative ideas.

Is there a piece of NS kit that is your favourite?  Why did you choose to work with North Sails Apparel?

TR - The Atlantic smock that I bring is the piece that I use the most. It accompanies me on each of my races. I then have a series of fleece underlayers which will allow me to experience the race in the best conditions. North Sails products are of high quality and very well suited to offshore racing!

Most people struggle to pack for a week offshore – what is in your kit bag for 2 months without the chance to wash anything?

TR - The experience of my two previous Vendée Globes allowed me to know exactly what to take on my third. And the limited space on board my IMOCA necessarily forces me to make choices! But we have some superb logisticians who have prepared everything for us with great care 😉