Laure Galley on DMG MORI: Determination on Course
Lorient. As a member of the DMG MORI Sailing Academy, which has been recruiting young skippers since 2022, Laure Galley is preparing to compete in her second Solitaire du Figaro on 7 September. After a focused winter of preparation, the young sailor, has demonstrated her fighting spirit during the 2025 Figaro season.
An engineer by training, Laure began her professional career on maxi yachts in La Ciotat (South of France). But it was as a child that she discovered sailing alongside her parents, who lived on the Île de Ré. After two seasons at the forefront in 2022 and 2023, she ranked 14th in the Boulangère Mini Transat, in proto, and 4th in the annual Mini class ranking. The following year, in 2024, Laure moved up to the Figaro class – a one-design class she particularly likes for its solo demands and the tough sporting level. She learnt a lot from her highly skilled competitors. Laure finished her first Solitaire du Figaro Paprec in 27th place.
Ever the pragmatist, Laure prepared for the 2025 season by working on the areas she needed to improve and the strengths she needed to optimise. After a hard-working winter, she competed in the Solo Guy Cotten race, followed by the Transat Paprec double-handed race with Kevin Bloch and finally the Tour de Bretagne with Nicolas Troussel, finishing 10th, 7th and 11th place respectively.
Laure's words
A very constructive winter preparation: "I lacked speed in 2024. I was more comfortable adjusting the sails than being at the helm. So, I learned a lot – thanks to the Lorient Grand Large training courses and Kevin Bloch, who was my co-skipper on the Transat Paprec. I also worked hard on the weather in two ways. With Pierre Le Roy, who is both a meteorologist and a sailor, and an excellent teacher. I also followed the Vendée Globe, which allows you to follow real-life cases every day for three months. We study the weather, the routings and we can see the results. It's really educational."
Strengths: "I'm pretty good at sailing close-hauled – I love tactics! When you're a rookie, like in 2024, you sometimes follow the pack without knowing why, you're a bit in the dark. This year, I know better what to expect; I feel more comfortable. "
This Solitaire du Figaro Paprec: “This year, we haven't done much solo sailing. Apart from the deliveries this year, we haven't done many solo races, 14 days for me, which isn't much. This Solitaire will be tough with two Biscay Gulfs, two Raz Blanchard and a rather tricky finish in Vigo Bay.”
Team spirit: “I share many important factors with Adrien Simon, who also competes in the Solitaire: our trainer, Matisse Larnicole, logistics, accommodation, transport, and all the little details that save time, money and energy. Above all, it's great to share!”
About the DMG MORI Sailing Team
Founded in 2018, the DMG MORI Sailing Team is a professional offshore racing team based in Lorient, France. Japanese skipper Kojiro Shiraishi and the crew have successfully mastered the Vendée Globe 2020 and 2024, which is considered the toughest race in the world. With the DMG MORI Sailing Academy, which was founded in 2022, young talents are empowered to work in offshore sailing and develop their skills as part of the DMG MORI Sailing Team.