More about the Constitution of the IMOCA Class

The Class was set up by founding members Isabelle Autissier, Christophe Auguin and Jean-Luc Van Den Heede as a non-profit making Association in 1991 originally for both 50 and 60 footers. It became an ISAF Recognised Class on the 1st November 1998, ever since all Class rules have been submitted to ISAF for approval.  The Class comprises of an Executive Committee, an Events Committee and a Technical Committee, with Honorary, Full and Associate members. To ensure a broad representation of the sport, the Technical Committee comprises of several IMOCA members, designers, measurers and a race organiser.

‘Le Bureau’ (the Executive Committee) currently comprises of President: Luc Talbourdet, Vice chairmen: Jean Le Cam and Pascal Chadail, General Secretary: Bernard Stamm, Treasurer: Yann Eliès and two other administrators: Dominique Wavre and José-Maria Benavidès.

Any amendment to the Class Rules shall be proposed by the Technical Committee to the Members at the AGM, or when an immediate amendment is required, to the Executive Committee. Any rule amendments shall be ratified or altered by the Members at their AGM and thereafter submitted to the ISAF for consideration and ratification.  Rule interpretations shall be made by IMOCA in consultation with the ISAF.

The aims of IMOCA are as follows:
-    To bring together the skippers of IMOCA 60s, as well as any other parties interested in their development.
-    To administer and organise the activities of the IMOCA 60 Class.
-    To establish the Class Rules and to further their technological development.
-    To manage and co-ordinate the international calendar of events for these boats.
-    To apply and promote respect for all matters concerning rules, Regulations and prescriptions of the International Authorities (ISAF) and National Authorities (MNA).
-    To promote navigation and competition with these boats.
-    To encourage research into new technical advances and their application in the domain of safety of navigation, but with particular reference to technological innovation in the domain of performance.

Honorary members are individuals who have made a contribution to the Class and may be invited to meetings of the Association in a consultative capacity only.  To become a Full member you must be a skipper, or co skipper (on a double handed event not less than 2,000 nm) or someone that has officially declared the build of an IMOCA 60 with the aim of competing. Full members are called to attend IMOCA’s meetings; entitled to 2 votes each and they are required to pay an annual subscription.  Associate members can be boat owners, race organisers, or individuals who further IMOCA’s aims; they are called to the meetings; entitled to 1 vote each (max 2 / boat), and are required to pay an annual subscription.