It's time now for TBS and its famous skippers to take stock of 2009.
Michel Desjoyeaux commanded respect from his competitors when he won the last Vendée Globe Challenge for the second time on his FONCIA boat (despite he left 48 hours later than his competitors, he won the famous single-handed race while his heir apparent, Armel Le Cléac'h arrived second 7 days later!). Mich Desj has found his place in the race history ... and won the 1-month team-race Istanbul Europa Race.
He also got good results in other races: second place in the Record SNSM (and Armel arrived third), 5th place in the Solitaire du Figaro, 4th place in the Transat Jacques Vabre. As regards the Transat Jacques Vabre, Mich Desj and his co-skipper Jérémie Beyou, chose a southern route to "protect" the 60' FONCIA during the storm in the 1st week of race whereas the other competitors chose the northern route. At the beginning of the race, Armel Le Cléac'h and Nicolas Troussel had to come back at Concarneau as their mainsail rail was torn... and they did not leave again because of very bad weather.
From one side to another, 2009 was once again a good opportunity for the TBS sailors to show their skills...