Transmission, discovery, and performance: A Japanese-Norman duo at the Transat Café l'Or!

Skipper Louis Duc will team up with Japanese skipper Masa Suzuki in the Transat Café l’Or Le Havre Normandie. These 4,350 miles (8,000 km) between the English Channel and the Caribbean Sea will be an opportunity for the Fives Group – Lantana Environnement skipper to introduce Masa to the IMOCA: the Japanese skipper could indeed take the helm of this Farr design, with a view to participating in the 2028 Vendée Globe. Transmission, discovery and of course performance will therefore be on the agenda for this last transatlantic race aboard this boat for the Norman.

Louis Duc, skipper of Fives Group – Lantana Environnement: "I'm happy to be sharing this transatlantic race with Masa. He has a great track record, including a round-the-world race in a Class40. It's always interesting to discover a new person and a new way of sailing.

Communication might not always be easy, but he speaks a little English, and so do I: it could be quite fun! In any case, I'm delighted to be getting to know him because he seems very friendly, while also being serious and efficient. We won't have much time to sail before the start, but I'm sure we'll have a great transatlantic race together! I'm also delighted to be sailing again with this boat, which has regained 100% of its potential."

In 2018, at the age of 33, Masa Suzuki decided to drop everything to head to the other side of the world, to Lorient, to prepare for the 2019 Mini Transat! Introduced to sailing at a young age, this passion grew with him until it took over his work and daily life. Since then, the Japanese skipper has established his place in the world of ocean racing, notably with a podium finish in the first edition of the Globe 40, a double-handed round-the-world race with stopovers in a Class40 in 2023.
Today, he has his sights set on another circumnavigation: solo, non-stop, and in an IMOCA with daggerboards.

Masa Suzuki: "I know Louis by reputation from when he was sailing in a Class40. I've always admired his energy and his ability to always move forward, no matter what. He never gives up. He's someone who has inspired me, both at sea and on land. It's a chance to share this transatlantic race with him and learn from such a sailor.
It will be an important first step towards the Vendée Globe." My goal is to learn as much as possible, not only about managing an IMOCA, but also about the mindset and motivation needed to tackle this great adventure!"

One page turns, another opens...

Just five years ago, the sailor from Carteret was about to buy this boat, as a wreck, with a view to the 2020 Vendée Globe. A crazy bet, and a complete success.
Today, this Farr design is about to pass into other hands: this atypical duo is preparing to share a special moment on this Transat Café l'Or Le Havre Normandie. For both of them, one page turns, another opens...

Masatomo Suzuki

Masa is one of those skippers who have seawater running through their veins. He's always been sailing: from the age of 5, his parents took him on sea trips and cruises. As a student, he sailed with the Hosei University Yacht Club. However, he began a professional career (while racing regularly in the international Moth) before his passion caught up with him. In 2018, he left everything to settle in Lorient and prepare for the 2019 Mini Transat, finishing with a respectable 24th place.
This only strengthened his desire to go further, and in 2023, he set off on the Globe 40: a double-handed round-the-world race with stopovers, contested in a Class40. These 10 months of adventure ended with a podium finish, despite damage preventing the Japanese team from participating in the final two legs.
The next step was a natural one for Masa: the Vendée Globe. This serious and methodical forty-year-old's project is underway, with the possible purchase of the skipper's IMOCA, Fives Group – Lantana Environnement.
This transatlantic race, his first in a 60-foot boat, represents an important milestone in his schedule.

Fives Group – Lantana Environnement team Programme

• July 24^th - August 1^st: Rolex Fastnet Race – Cherbourg/Fastnet/Cowes – Team
• September16^th - 21^st: Défi Azimut – Lorient Agglomération – Lorient – Double
• October 26^th: Départ de la Transat Café l’Or – Le Havre/La Martinique – Double

The Fives IMOCA is an "upcycled" boat. Thanks to Louis, it lives a 2^nd life!

Louis and his team gave a new life to a very damaged IMOCA because of a fire. This refurbishment undertaking was a real technical challenge... that succeeded in only 10 months!

Louis and his team continue to apply this upcycling principle and optimization research with a constant effort on sobriety throughout this Vendée Globe program.

Louis is also very keen on respecting everyone's work and giving a chance.

The Fives Group, a major partner in this Vendée Globe program, has been seduced by such commitment and values, as it shares the same values and responsibilities.

Fives, your partner for a more virtuous industry

For over 200 years, the Group has designed the breakthrough solutions and technologies that make industry what it is. From the first railways to the Eiffel Tower, through the spatial conquest, Fives always spearheaded the industry of the future. Pioneering decarbonization, the Group is an unconditional partner of the industry's energy transition. Through digitization, the promotion of a circular economy and the development of new processes and new energy sources, Fives puts its technological leadership to its customers' service.
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