Simon Koster, 36, Switzerland
Co-skipper from Kiel to Cartagena 3 Mini Transats – 1 Route du Rhum – 3 Transat Jacques Vabre
Since his early years, Simon Koster has been racking up races and regattas—starting in dinghies, then as a crew member in offshore regattas, from the Solent to the Caribbean, where his passion for offshore sailing and competition began to grow. A transatlantic delivery aboard Sam Goodchild’s Class40 was the final push that convinced him to take the leap.
The Zurich native dove headfirst into the world of offshore racing with the Mini Transat—a 6.50-meter solo race with no communication, known for shaping future champions. He finished 3rd in the production boat category. That’s also where he first crossed paths with Alan Roura, back in 2013.
Daring by nature, Simon took on another Mini Transat—this time in a prototype, sailing the first-ever Mini with foils (7th in 2015). He returned for a third attempt, this time without foils, and landed on the overall podium once again (3rd in 2017).
The next chapter unfolded under the Swiss flag, alongside fellow countryman Valentin Gautier. Together in Class40, they achieved an impressive 4th place in the 2019 Transat Jacques Vabre—just weeks after launching their brand-new boat—and won the Normandy Channel Race the following year. For their final race as a duo, they finished 2nd in the 2021 Transat Jacques Vabre.
Simon then sailed a final solo season in Class40, completing his first Route du Rhum in 4th place, before joining Alan Roura’s project. He started off as an electronics engineer, before stepping aboard as a sailor and eventually becoming co-skipper for the 2023 season.
“Alan is passionate, a fantastic sailor, and always eager to prove he can do better.” A description that fits Simon just as well, with a strong culture of performance and constant improvement over the years. It’s as if the two Swiss sailors thrive on the same ambitions—complementing each other perfectly in a partnership built to give it everything they’ve got.
© Jean-Louis Carli