| Age | 50 (8/11/75) |
|---|---|
| Top performance | Winner of the Route du Rhum- Destination Guadeloupe 2018 in Multi50 |
| Joined Imoca on | 2014 |
| Team | Les P'tits Doudous |
| Base | La Trinité sur Mer (FRANCE) |
| Commitment | Les P'tits Doudous |
Armel Tripon, a sailor from Nantes based in La Trinité-sur-Mer, is a passionate and versatile self-taught seafarer. After starting out in the Mini 6.50 class, he made a name for himself by winning the 2003 Mini Transat, before joining the highly demanding Figaro BENETEAU class, where he competed at the highest level for seven seasons.
He then continued his career in the Class40 circuit, followed by IMOCA, where he made a strong impression by securing an outstanding 4th place in the 2014 Route du Rhum. This performance placed him alongside some of the class’s most iconic figures, such as François Gabart, Jérémie Beyou, and Marc Guillemot.
Armel also excelled in the Multi50 class, notably with Réauté Chocolat, winning several races including the 2018 Route du Rhum.
In 2020–2021, he took part in the Vendée Globe aboard L’Occitane en Provence, a latest-generation IMOCA designed by Sam Manuard, showcasing the boat’s full potential despite several setbacks. He finished in 11th place, demonstrating the impressive capabilities of the new foiling boats.
Deeply committed to supporting healthcare workers, Armel Tripon is also the patron of the association Les P’tits Doudous, which works to improve the hospital experience of children undergoing surgery. He leads a sporting and solidarity-driven project at sea, helping raise awareness of the association’s initiatives across France.
Together, they are developing a more sustainable IMOCA, built partly using recycled carbon fibers from the aeronautics industry. This project combines sporting performance, innovation, and social commitment, with the Vendée Globe 2028 firmly in sight.
2018: Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe - 1st (Multi50)
2017: Transat Jacques Vabre - 3rd (Multi50)
2017: Grand Prix Guyader - 3rd (Multi50)
2017: ArMen Race Uship - 1st (Multi50)
2017: Record SNSM - 2nd (Multi50)
| Name | LES P’TITS DOUDOUS |
|---|---|
| Sail number | FRA 16 |
| Architect | VPLP |
| Construction | 2023, DUQUEINE Atlantique |
| Length | 18,28m |
| Beam | 11m |
| Draught | 4,5m |
| Weight | NC |
| Mast height | 29m |
| Mast type | Wing Mast |
| Foils | Yes |
| Sail area max. | |
| Upwind | 265 m² |
| Downwind | 345 m² |
After a week of racing, we take a look at the IMOCA fleet in the Transat Café l’OR with Sébastien Marsset, finisher of the last Vendée Globe and candidate for the 2028 Vendée Globe.
•••From 16 to 21 September, Lorient-La Base will once again be buzzing with excitement for the Défi Azimut. Now in its 15th year, the event brings together 12 pairs of skippers on their IMOCA boats for what promises to be a…
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