Kojiro Shiraishi – Sports and participatory science.

Kojiro Shiraishi set sail on November 8, 2020 for the Vendée Globe Challenge, one of the toughest solo races in the world, returned to Les Sables d’Olonne on February 11, 2021 in 16th position, after 94 days 21 hours 31 minutes and 56 seconds at sea.

Sporting feat, but not only because Kojiro Shiraishi collected during his journey many sea samples to study the plastic concentration in areas not usually sampled by the scientific vessels. Those samples began to be analysed by many scientists with whom he collaborated. A great sporting achievement and a fine example of participatory science.

Etude de micro-plastiques marins : collaboration entre le navigateur du Vendée Globe Kojiro Shiraishi et des chercheurs japonais – Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères (diplomatie.gouv.fr)