Onboard the IMOCA 60 HUBLOT, skipper Alan Roura, a Hublot ambassador since 2022, is embarking on a formidable challenge with two Atlantic crossings scheduled for the upcoming autumn. The first, the Transat Jacques Vabre, will see him sail in tandem with fellow countryman Simon Koster. The second, Retour à La Base, will be a solo endeavor. These endeavors are not only significant in themselves but also serve as crucial preparations for the prestigious Vendée Globe, slated for November of the following year.
Facing a challenging autumn, Alan Roura is currently in the process of finalizing preparations, aiming to enhance his understanding of the IMOCA Hublot, improve its reliability, and foster unparalleled confidence onboard. Recognizing the steep learning curve amid challenging ocean conditions, Alan’s unyielding determination propels him forward. Over the course of two months, he plans to cross the Atlantic twice, commencing with the Transat Jacques Vabre on October 29—a transatlantic race from Le Havre to Fort-de-France, Martinique, alongside Swiss co-skipper Simon Koster.
Following a brief stay in Martinique, the skipper’s second crossing, the “Retour à la Base,” awaits. This return journey, from west to east, will take him solo from Fort-de-France to Lorient, presenting potentially demanding conditions. This challenging autumn season provides an invaluable opportunity for experience-building and skill refinement. Each day at sea, every challenge faced, and each success achieved contribute significantly to Alan Roura’s ultimate goal: optimal preparedness for the Vendée Globe, the pinnacle event in ocean racing set to commence on November 10, 2024.
Having spent the majority of his 30 years immersed in sailing, Alan Roura brings a profound understanding of the elements, their challenges, and the freedom they bestow. Growing up on the ocean, he spent 22 years sailing, first globally as a family and then in competitive racing. Despite his relatively young age, the Swiss-born skipper epitomizes maturity, having been the youngest finisher in the 2016 Vendée Globe and the youngest participant in the 2020 edition. Alan’s quest for greatness has led him to a new frontier—a state-of-the-art foiling yacht with a fully enclosed cockpit, made possible through the support of Hublot. The brand, rooted in sailing since its inception, rekindles its passion for ocean racing through this collaboration.
For more information, please visit Hublot.com.