Profile

Kojiro Shiraishi is a Japanese sailor. In 1994, at the age of 26, he became the youngest sailor to complete a non-stop single-handed circumnavigation. He twice finished 2nd in the BOC Challenge, a solo race with stopovers. In 2016, he became the first Asian to take the start of the Vendée Globe. On 11 February 2021, aboard the IMOCA DMG MORI Global One, he became the first Asian to complete the Vendée Globe. For the 2024 edition, Kojiro aims to do better than his 16th place in 2020, with the same boat but equipped with new foils and a new bow.

Achievements

2023

  • Retour à la Base

    18th

  • Transat Jacques Vabre

    22th

  • Rolex Fastnet Race

    18th

2022

  • Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race

    14th

2020

  • Vendée Globe

    16th (94d 21h 32m 56s)

  • Vendée Arctique - Les Sables d'Olonne

    10th

2016

  • Vendée Globe

    Abandon

  • New York Vendée - Les Sables d'Olonne - 7th

    7th

2015

  • Captain of the crew for the Hatsushima Double Hand Race in Sagami Bay Ooshima Challenge, Annual crossing with 4 orphaned children from Zushi to Izu Ooshima

2014

  • Crew captain for the filming of a documentary off the CroaGe Ooshima Challenge, Annual crossing with 4 orphaned children from Zushi to Izu Ooshima

2008

  • World record on the Pacific crossing with Lionel Lemonchois on the Maxi Catamaran 110d "Gitana 13" San Fransisco in Yokohama

2006

  • VELUX 5OCEANS class I 2nd, on OPEN 60d "SPIRIT OF YUKOH"

2002

  • Around Alone in class II 4th, on OPEN 40d "SPIRIT OF YUKOH"

1998

  • World record on the Pacific crossing with Bruno Peyron on the Catamaran 80d "Explorer" Yokohama in San Fransisco

1993

  • Solitary round the world voyage by sail, non-stop, without assistance (176 days) (46,115km), on OPEN 50d "SPIRIT OF YUKOH", Record of the youngest sailor who completed this feat at the time at 26 years old

1991

  • Solitary crossing from Sydney (Australia) to Izu Matsuzaki (Japan) on OPEN 50d "KODEN OKERA 8th", after the death of the owner Yukoh Tada

1989

  • Crew member of the crossing from New Zealand to Hakata (Japan) on a 50d monohull, "OKERA7th ", for the Hakata Expo Race

1988

  • Crew member of the crossing from Tomakomai (Japan) to Nakhodka (USSR) on a 50d monohull, "OKERA 7th", for the Nakhodka Race

Imoca DMG Mori Global One

DMG MORI Global One

  • Architect : VPLP
  • Construction : 2019, Multiplast, Vannes
  • Launch date : 02 Septembre 2019
  • Lenght : 18,28 m
  • Beam : 5,85 m
  • Draught : 4,5 m
  • Weight : 8 t
  • Hauteur mât : 29 m
  • Upwind sail area : 320 m²
  • Downwind sail area : 600 m²

DMG MORI is a world leader in the construction of machine-tools that offer integrated, environmentally-friendly automation and digitalisation solutions that enhance the company's core business through turning and milling machines, cutting-edge technologies and additive manufacturing. All this is made possible by 12,000 employees ready to meet the needs of nearly 100,000 customers from more than 54 sectors via 138 sales outlets and after-sales workshops in 86 countries.

Commitment

DMG MORI Sailing Academy

Created in 2018, the DMG MORI Sailing Team is the professional ocean racing team behind Kojiro Shiraishi and his IMOCA boat. With the creation of the DMG MORI Sailing Academy in 2022, the aim is to enable talented young sailors to perfect all their skills within the team.

News & media

Le skipper de DMG MORI Global One, Kojiro Shiraishi (JAP), est photographié lors des arrivées de la course à la voile New York-Vendée, aux Sables d'Olonne, le 13 juin 2024
6 Slideshow
Arrivée de Kojiro Shiraishi

Kojiro Shiraishi (DMG MORI Global One), 15th

On Thursday 13th June at 14h38, Kojiro Shiraishi crossed the finish line of the second edition of the New York Vendée - Les Sables d'Olonne, finishing in 15th place after 14 days, 18 hours and 38 minutes of racing. Committed to a median trajectory, the skipper of DMG MORI Global One struggled, like…

Kojiro Shiraishi "「最も重要なのは、楽しむことだ , The most important thing is to enjoy"

Kojiro Shiraishi getting close to France | New York Vendée 2024

Kojiro Shiraishi : "it is instinct at the end"

Les IMOCA à Newport

Pressures of the Final Transat Checklists Weigh on the Shore Teams’ Shoulders

The boats are tuned-up and ready for the New York Vendée - Les Sables d'Olonne, and with a long sail to the start line, there are only hours left for teams to hand over a boat that will make it safely and quickly across the Atlantic.