For Boris, this is his second circumnavigation of the globe in competition, following his win in the 40-footer Class in the Portimao Global Ocean Race, the double-handed competition divided into legs held in 2008-09. The German sailor is an excellent example of the 'academic' evolution of solo and double-handed offshore sailing: Mini Class, 40 footer Class and now the IMOCA Open 60 Class. His career, and in particular his success in round the world racing means that this German sailor has a unique perspective and knowledge that he will be able to employ to great effect in this Barcelona World Race.

Ryan Breymaier is a sailor raised in Annapolis, the capital of East-coast sailing. He has extensive experience in many different top level campaigns, and whilst this is his début in a round the world event, he is has a full CV in boat preparation; from huge offshore multihulls such as Playstation for the Jules Verne Trophy to TP52s such as Aifos and Sjambok, and Veolia Environnement itself for the previous edition of the Barcelona World Race and the Vendée Globe 2008. He therefore knows the boat he'll be sailing very well indeed, having formed part of Jourdain and Nélias' technical crew since the 2007/08 edition of the Barcelona World Race as well as for the preparation of the yacht for the 2008-09 Vendée Globe and the 2009 Istanbul Europa Race. In the latter he formed part of Jourdain's onboard crew.