Kojiro Shiraishi – the IMOCA fleet’s Obi-Wan!

Kojiro Shiraishi is the skipper of the IMOCA DMG MORI in the Vendée Globe. At the age of 26 he became the youngest sailor to complete a non-stop single-handed circumnavigation, twice finished 2nd in the solo BOC Challenge. He’s also a big fan of Star Wars, and his favourite character is Obi-Wan Kenobi. This is his third Vendée, having competed in 2016 and 2020, and on 11th February 2021 he became the first Asian sailor to complete the Vendée Globe, finishing 16th. With the same boat, refitted with new foils, he is aiming for a top 8 position in this edition. Ambre Hasson spoke with Kojiro via a translator in Les Sables d’Olonne to find out more, while Kojiro found out more about Ambre’s Mini Transat campaign!