Nicolas Lunven is one of those sailors with a reserved nature but an impressive track record. A two-time winner of the formidable Solitaire du Figaro and a veteran of three campaigns in The Ocean Race alongside some of the world's greatest sailors, he has established himself as a key talent in the IMOCA Class. He finished 6th in the 2024-2025 Vendée Globe at the helm of Holcim-PRB.
Born into a family of sailors, Nicolas Lunven grew up to the rhythm of the waves and regattas. From an early age, he embraced sailing with natural ease, accumulating victories while pursuing a master’s degree in management and administration. In 2007, he made a name for himself in the Solitaire du Figaro by winning the Rookie classification, marking his entry into the ranks of offshore racing’s most promising talents.
Two years later, in 2009, the Solitaire du Figaro brought together an exceptional lineup, featuring renowned skippers fresh from the Vendée Globe. Facing some of the sport’s biggest names—Desjoyeaux, Beyou, Eliès, Le Cléac’h—Nicolas set the pace and claimed victory at just 26 years old, in only his third participation. This triumph firmly established his reputation as a formidable competitor.
The year 2017 saw him dominate the Figaro Beneteau circuit. Nicolas secured a second victory in the Solitaire du Figaro, won the Solo Maître CoQ for the third time, claimed his second Tour de Bretagne title, and was crowned French Offshore Racing Champion.
Building on his solo racing experience, he then ventured into major crewed competitions. He competed in the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race aboard Turn the Tide on Plastic before joining the Mirpuri Foundation for The Ocean Race Europe 2021. He also teamed up with Samantha Davies for the Transat Jacques Vabre.
In 2022, Banque Populaire called on him to replace Clarisse Crémer during her pregnancy. The gamble paid off: Nicolas secured a fourth-place finish in the Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race and a tenth-place result in the Vendée Arctique, confirming his talent in the IMOCA class.
In 2023, he joined Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia as a navigator. The crew excelled, finishing third in The Ocean Race and setting a new monohull 24-hour distance record (641.13 nautical miles).
After this round-the-world crewed campaign, Nicolas Lunven took the helm of Holcim-PRB, a Verdier-designed IMOCA, to prepare for his first Vendée Globe. From the outset, he made a statement: just three days into the race, he shattered the solo IMOCA 24-hour distance record, previously held by Thomas Ruyant. He completed his first solo circumnavigation in sixth place—an outstanding performance that further cements his status as one of the leading sailors of his generation.
After a year dedicated to solo racing, Nico Lunven returned to crewed sailing for The Ocean Race Europe 2025, alongside Rosalin Kuiper, Franck Cammas and Alan Roberts. From the very first leg, a collision with Allagrande Mapei Racing hampered the Swiss-flagged crew’s ambitions for victory. Despite this setback, the team fought hard around Europe and secured a strong 3rd place overall.
For 2026, PRB has offered the skipper a season in the Figaro BENETEAU class — a transition before joining the Japanese team DMG Mori Sailing as a performance sailor, working with their new IMOCA currently under construction, scheduled to be launched in May–June 2026.
2021: The Ocean Race Europe - 1st (VO65 Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team)
2015: Record SNSM - 2nd
2014: Round Canary Island Race - 2nd
2014: Transat AG2R - 5th
2014: Volvo Ocean Race - Une étape
2013: Championnat du Monde de J80 - 7th
2013: Rolex Fastnet Race - 3rd Class40
2013: Solo Concarneau - 2nd
2012: Solo Concarneau - 1st
2012: Rolex Sydney - Hobbart - 2nd
2012: La Solitaire - 3rd
2012: Championnat de France de Course au Large en Solitaire - 3rd
2012: Championnat de France de Course au Large en Solitaire - 3rd
2011: Solo Les Sables - 1st
2011: La Solitaire - 4th
2011: Championnate de France de Course au Large en Solitaire - 3rd
2011: Rolex Sydney - Hobbart - 5th
2011: Transat Bénodet - Martinique - 5th
2011: Tour de France à la Voile - 8th
2010: Solo Les Sables - 1st
2010: Transat AG2R - 6th
2010: Tour de France à la Voile - 9th
2009: Solo Quiberon - 3rd
2009: Tour de France à la Voile - 4th
2009: Tour de Bretagne - 4th
2009: La Solitaire - 1st
2008: Transat AG2R - 5th
2008: Tour de France à la Voile - 2nd
2007: Tour de Bretagne - 1st
2007: La Solitaire - 14th / 1st Bizuth
2007: Tour de France à la Voile - 4th
| Name | DMG MORI |
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| Sail number | |
| Architect | Guillaume Verdier |
| Construction | 2026, CDK Technologies |
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| Foils | Yes |
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A new IMOCA, crew races, new personalities to join the Team and the emergence of new young Japanese skippers, the DMG MORI Sailing Team is preparing an ambitious four-year cycle, as highlighted by its iconic Japanese ski…
•••The second edition of The Ocean Race Europe is now behind us – an event that produced compelling racing over seven hectic weeks on a course that circled Europe, from Kiel to Boka Bay in Montenegro, and with one clear win…
•••Spectacular Coastal Race in Boka Bay marks the end of The Ocean Race Europe
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