Moving from the dizzying slopes of the Mont Blanc massif to the towering waves of the Southern Ocean might seem like an unusual transition. For Aurélien Ducroz, however, it is a natural progression. A two-time freeride skiing world champion, four-time winner of the Verbier Xtreme and seasoned sailor, the Chamonix native has just reached a decisive milestone in his sailing career. At 44, he has officially announced his ambition to compete in the 2028 Vendée Globe, with a project unlike any other.
His First IMOCA and One Clear Goal: the 2028 Vendée Globe
Aurélien Ducroz has acquired EMIRA 1, a 60-foot IMOCA, together with Thomas Riboud-Seydoux. Designed by Owen Clarke and built in 2011, the monohull was previously known as Acciona 100 % EcoPowered. Among other achievements, it competed in the 2012–2013 Vendée Globe with Spanish skipper Javier Sansó before continuing its career under various names and sponsors.
Unlike the latest boats in the IMOCA fleet, EMIRA 1 is not equipped with foils and instead relies on conventional daggerboards. This makes it a proven platform for discovering the demanding requirements of the IMOCA class. It is a pragmatic choice for Ducroz, who must now secure partners, build his technical team and accumulate the necessary miles to qualify for the race.
Although the former extreme skier is only now entering the world of 60-foot yachts, he already has considerable offshore sailing experience. Over the past 15 years, he has completed numerous transatlantic crossings and competed in several seasons of the Class40 circuit, ultimately winning a world championship title in the class. His Vendée Globe ambition is therefore not an improvised career change, but rather the culmination of a long learning process.
Ocean Peak: Where the Mountains Meet the Ocean
The skipper’s personality and career path are already remarkable, but his wider project, named Ocean Peak, takes things a step further. True to his Alpine roots, Aurélien Ducroz refuses to choose between his two passions. His ambitious goal is to climb all 82 Alpine peaks rising above 4,000 metres before the start of the 2028 Vendée Globe!
Beyond the undeniable sporting achievement, Ducroz wants to use this adventure to build a bridge between two worlds that demand the same qualities: forward planning, risk management, interpreting weather conditions and making the right decisions when nature imposes its own rules.
This philosophy resonates particularly strongly with offshore racing, where mental endurance is just as important as pure athletic performance.
Two Years to Achieve the Challenge of a Lifetime
The schedule promises to be exceptionally demanding. Between training aboard his IMOCA, competing in qualifying races, securing funding and climbing Alpine peaks, the sailor and mountaineer will have to manage several demanding preparation programmes simultaneously.
He estimates that his sailing campaign will require a budget of approximately one million euros per year. Acquiring the boat is an important first step, but sporting success will also depend on securing the necessary technical resources and personnel.
Ocean Peak also has a charitable dimension. Aurélien Ducroz intends to continue supporting the “Je pars, tu pars, il part” endowment fund, which works to give families with limited financial means the opportunity to go on holiday. Educational and audiovisual content will also accompany his adventures in the mountains and on the ocean.
A sailor with a big heart, who still has plenty of dreams to inspire us with – at sea and in the mountains alike!