Double winner of the Figaro, the man behind the "Troussel move"
Nicolas Troussel, born on May 11, 1974, in Morlaix and based in Lorient, won the Solitaire du Figaro twice (2006 and 2008). In the 2006 edition, a bold tactical choice against the fleet’s consensus paid off — since then, "faire une Troussel" (making a Troussel move) has entered sailing lingo to describe a high-risk routing gamble that pays off against general advice.
From Figaro to IMOCA
Troussel built his career in one-design racing. Winner of the 2004 Transat AG2R with Armel Le Cléac'h (Lorient – Saint-Barthélemy), he followed with the 2006 Figaro title, then 2007 (French singlehanded offshore champion; victory in the solo Transat BPE Belle-Île / Marie-Galante on Figaro Bénéteau 2), then 2008 (second Figaro title). He then moved to Class40 (2nd in the 2010 Route du Rhum) before stepping up to IMOCA.
The Corum L'Épargne cycle
In the 2019 Transat Jacques Vabre, racing doublehanded with Jean Le Cam, he finished 13th overall and 2nd among non-foiling IMOCAs onHubert / Corum L'ÉpargneThe IMOCACorum L'Épargne — a Juan Kouyoumdjian design built by CDK — launched in May 2020 for the Vendée Globe. Five days after the start, on November 16, 2020, the boat dismasted off the Cape Verde islands. Retired. Troussel took the boat for the 2022 Route du Rhum (20th in IMOCA). The Corum partnership ended in early 2023: no entry for Vendée 2024.
Jules Verne Trophy 2026 and 2028 project
On January 25, 2026, Troussel was part of the crew aboardSodebo Ultim 3 (skipper Thomas Coville) that broke the Jules Verne Trophy record in 40d 10h 45' 50'', improving the reference time by about 12h 44'. He is also pursuing a project forVendée Globe 2028 target (IMOCA or Class40).
The Skysat relationship
Skysat support on his IMOCA campaigns.
Palmarès
- Jules Verne Trophy 2026 — crew member aboardSodebo Ultim 3 (skipper Thomas Coville). Record broken on January 25, 2026, in 40d 10h 45' 50''.
- Route du Rhum 2022 — 20th in IMOCA aboardCorum L'Épargne.
- Vendée Globe 2020–2021 — skipper of the IMOCACorum L'Épargne (Juan Kouyoumdjian design / CDK build, May 2020). Dismasted on November 16, 2020, off Cape Verde, retired.
- Transat Jacques Vabre 2019 — 13th overall, 2nd among non-foiling IMOCAs, doublehanded with Jean Le Cam aboardHubert / Corum L'Épargne.
- Route du Rhum 2010 — 2nd in Class40.
- Solitaire du Figaro 2008 — winner (second title).
- 2007 — French singlehanded offshore champion; winner of the solo Transat BPE (Belle-Île / Marie-Galante) on Figaro Bénéteau 2.
- Solitaire du Figaro 2006 — winner. "Faire une Troussel" (making a Troussel move) entered sailing vocabulary after this edition.
- Transat AG2R 2004 — winner doublehanded with Armel Le Cléac'h (Lorient – Saint-Barthélemy).
