One of the first to validate the IMOCA scow design, now sailing on Les P'tits Doudous
Armel Tripon has been racing offshore since the late 1990s. He won the Mini Transat 2003 to launch his professional career, then moved on to Multi50 and IMOCA programs. Today he helms the IMOCA Les P'tits Doudous, an association-driven program supporting the Les Petits Doudous charity (assisting hospitalized children).
L'Occitane en Provence: the bet on the first IMOCA scow
In 2020, Tripon started the Vendée Globe aboard L'Occitane en Provence, the first IMOCA with a scow bow designed by Sam Manuard — a spoon-shaped hull architecture then unprecedented at 60 feet, derived from Manuard’s Mini prototypes. He finished 11th and proved in racing the viability of a hull form that most teams have since adopted.
Multi50 Réauté Chocolat: Route du Rhum 2018
In 2018, Tripon won the Route du Rhum in the Multi50 class aboard Réauté Chocolat, confirming the contribution of foils to 50-foot trimarans. The victory capped a decade of successive Multi50 programs.
Les P'tits Doudous: racing for a cause
Tripon now races the IMOCA Les P'tits Doudous, built with the association of the same name that supports hospitalized children. The project combines offshore racing communication and fundraising — Skysat is a partner and contributed €5,000 to the charity at the program’s launch.
Skysat on board
Skysat has supplied and installed the onboard electronics for several of Tripon’s boats: Multi50 Réauté Chocolat, Ocean Fifty Les Petits Doudous, IMOCA L'Occitane en Provence, and IMOCA Les P'tits Doudous.
Career highlights
- Mini Transat 2003 — winner.
- Route du Rhum 2018 (Multi50) — winner aboard Réauté Chocolat.
- Vendée Globe 2020–2021 — 11th aboard the IMOCA L'Occitane en Provence (first Manuard scow).
- Pro Sailing Tour 2022–2024 — Ocean Fifty Les Petits Doudous.
