Vendée Globe: Thomas Ruyant and Éric Bellion meet at Kerbeleg manor house

The Vendée Globe is much more than just a single-handed race around the world without stopovers or assistance. For sailing enthusiasts, it is a veritable myth, a human and technological adventure on the edge of the extreme. Since the introduction of foils in 2016, this competition has taken on a new dimension. Today, it divides the world of ocean racing into two camps: those who embrace modernity with yachts literally flying above the waves, and those who remain faithful to a more traditional approach, valuing robustness and reliability.

This duality is embodied by two emblematic skippers: Thomas Ruyant, a fan of revolutionary foils, and Éric Bellion, a fervent defender of classic yachts. These two figures recently met for a fascinating debate organised in the exceptional setting of the Manoir de Kerbeleg. Here’s a look back at this captivating exchange, which sheds light on two visions of the Vendée Globe, their respective careers and their philosophy of sailing.

Watch the film by Christophe Duchiron (25′):

Thomas Ruyant: the foil pioneer

Thomas Ruyant embodies the new generation of skippers who are fully embracing technological change. With his boat fitted with the latest generation of foils, he is banking on speed, innovation and daring. Foils, the streamlined appendages that enable sailing boats to rise above the water, offer a decisive advantage in terms of performance. But they also require meticulous preparation, increased risk management and an in-depth knowledge of cutting-edge materials.

His background:
Originally from the north of France, Thomas Ruyant first made a name for himself with his performances in the Mini Transat before going on to shine in competitions such as the Route du Rhum and the Vendée Globe. For him, sailing is a laboratory for experimentation. “Every race is an opportunity to learn and push back the limits,” he confides. His preparation for the 2024 Vendée Globe includes hundreds of hours in a simulator, intensive sea trials and a team of highly specialised technicians.

His boat:
Ruyant is sailing a state-of-the-art IMOCA designed to maximise performance in ‘flight’ mode. Her foils reduce drag and enable her to reach impressive speeds, but they also pose challenges: impacts with unidentified floating objects (UFOs) can be devastating, and the extreme conditions of the Southern Ocean test the limits of materials.

Éric Bellion: the champion of tradition

Unlike Thomas Ruyant, Éric Bellion favours a more intuitive and human approach to sailing. “A good skipper is above all someone who knows his boat by heart,” he asserts. Rejecting the race for innovation, he relies on classic, robust and tried and tested boats. For him, the Vendée Globe remains a personal and spiritual adventure before being a technological competition.

His career :
Éric Bellion has distinguished himself by his ability to unite people around his values. With a degree in communications, he embarked on ocean racing with one fixed idea: to show that inclusion and diversity are strengths, even at sea. In 2016, he completed his first Vendée Globe with a conventional yacht, demonstrating that you can still shine without giving in to hyper-technology.

His boat:
Éric Bellion’s boat is an optimised version of a previous generation IMOCA, designed to withstand the toughest tests without sacrificing simplicity. No foils here, but solid sails and a hull designed to last. “The less gadgets, the less risk of breakage”, he often jokes.

A lively debate on the technological challenges

During the meeting at the Manoir de Kerbeleg, the exchanges between the two skippers highlighted the crucial issues in ocean racing today.

The advantages of foils according to Ruyant :
Thomas Ruyant was quick to point out the impact of foils on competition. “It’s not just a question of speed,” he explains. “It’s also an opportunity to redefine what it means to sail. Foils reduce fatigue, increase safety and pave the way for a new generation of skippers.”

Bellion’s reservations:
For his part, Éric Bellion expressed his doubts about this frantic race for technology. “By wanting to automate everything, we risk losing the very essence of what makes the Vendée Globe so beautiful: the relationship between the skipper and his boat.” He is also concerned about the increased ecological footprint of foils, particularly in terms of manufacture and maintenance.

A shared philosophy despite the differences

Beyond their differences, the two sailors have also found points of agreement. Both share a deep respect for the ocean and a boundless admiration for those who dare to embark on this extraordinary adventure.

Thomas Ruyant even acknowledged that sailors like Bellion play an essential role in preserving the traditions of sailing. “Without them, we risk losing this link with history,” he admits. For his part, Éric Bellion had no hesitation in welcoming the progress made by foils, “as long as they remain at the service of the skipper and not the other way round”.

The Vendée Globe: a reflection of the challenges of our time

This meeting at the Manoir de Kerbeleg highlighted an often overlooked aspect of the Vendée Globe: over and above the competition, this race is a mirror of the technological, ecological and philosophical challenges of our time. The choices made by each skipper reflect fundamental questions about progress, tradition and the balance between the two.

Whether with foils or classic yachts, Thomas Ruyant and Éric Bellion each embody the spirit of the Vendée Globe in their own way. And while their paths may seem to be at odds, they are ultimately converging towards the same goal: to push back their limits and write a new page in the history of sailing.

Le Manoir de Kerbeleg: a setting steeped in history

Located in Brittany, the Manoir de Kerbeleg offers a setting worthy of great philosophical and strategic discussions. With its stone walls steeped in history and peaceful gardens lined with century-old trees, it seems almost tailor-made to host debates as passionate as the one between Ruyant and Bellion.

It was here, in the large room with its exposed beams, that the two sailors shared their respective visions of the Vendée Globe. Although the setting lent itself to serenity, the exchange was no less intense, with each skipper fiercely defending his technical and human choices.

We would like to thank Christophe DUCHIRON (director), Léo GUILLAUME (Bleu Iroise production manager), the film crew, Thomas RUYANT and Éric BELLION for this sequence.