4th Jan 2012 The Transat B to B counted them all out and counted them all back… »
On Tuesday 20th December, the last of those Transat B to B skippers making for the finish port of Lorient arrived safe and sound after an extraordinary, wintry, eastbound transatlantic race. Race Management counted 8 out and counted 8 back...
25th Nov 2011 Transat B to B: D-10 Back to Brittany »
The Transat B to B will lead the IMOCAs from Saint Barts to Lorient
Eight solo entries
The race acts as a qualifier for the Vendée Globe 2012
Start on 5 December!
25th Oct 2011 IMOCA building its future »
As the Transat Jacques Vabre is about to get underway with thirteen boats in the IMOCA fleet, including five from the latest generation, the Class has held a General Meeting in Le Havre to examine what lies ahead after the next Vendée Globe. The goal is to ensure a lively future as we move forward to the 2014 Barcelona World Race and the 2016 Vendée Globe.
8th Jun 2011 The Europa Race postponed until the spring of 2012 »
The IMOCA Executive Committee and Event Committee got together on 31 May to study the postponement of the Europa Race and its consequences on the calendar.
13th May 2011 A sailor has left our midst… »
Hubert Desjoyeaux, creator and director of the CDK yard cast off for one last time.
After three months, his illness has carried him away to other horizons.
For the past 25 years Hubert has been at the helm of CDK Technologie; an entrepreneur, a project man and a technician with a close relationship to sailors, he has helped to develop our sport and our boats.
6th May 2011 IMOCA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS CEREMONY »
On Thursday 5th May, the IMOCA held its AGM and the IMOCA world championship awards ceremony. In what was a very relaxed atmosphere, Jean-Pierre Dick was awarded the title of World Champion finishing ahead of Alex Pella, Pachi Rivero, Iker Martinez and Dee Caffari.
28th Apr 2011 JEAN-PIERRE DICK, 2010 IMOCA WORLD CHAMPION »
With the completion of the Barcelona World Race, the 2010 rankings have now been established. Quite logically, it is Jean-Pierre Dick (Virbac-Paprec 3) who is crowned after his faultless performance over the past two years. The weighting given to the Barcelona World Race also means that the Spanish racers make their entrance into the top ten, making it the most international line-up ever.
26th Apr 2011 EIGHTH FOR FORUM MARITIM CATALA »
Fòrum Marítim Català crossed the finish line at 21 17 24 hrs this Friday evening to finish in a creditable eighth place, a good result for a duo which had never met prior to their qualifying sail and which arrived into the race with very different background, ages and cultures.
22nd Apr 2011 HUGO BOSS, SEVENTH IN BARCELONA »
Andy Meiklejohn (NZL) and Wouter Verbraak (NED) on Hugo Boss crossed the finish line during the very early hours of a breezy Barcelona night, breaking the line off the W-Hotel at 00 49 23 hrs local time (UTC +2hrs) to secure seventh place overall from the field of 14 duos which started the Barcelona World Race on 31st December 2010. Hugo Boss' elapsed time for the 25,200 miles course is 111 days 10 hours 49 mins computed to have sailed at a theoretical average of 9,42 knots.
19th Apr 2011 BARCELONA WORLD RACE: INITIAL ASSESSMENT »
There are still three competitors racing in this second edition of the Barcelona World Race. For the crew of Hugo Boss as for the men on Forum Maritim Catala, it will soon be over, while the final boat, We Are Water has just entered the North Atlantic. Now is however a good time to draw up an initial assessment of the race with many boats home and crews having given their reactions.
13th Apr 2011 THE WOMEN ON GAES TAKE SIXTH PLACE »
GAES Centro Auditivos crossed the finishing line of the Barcelona World Race on Wednesday morning at 0917 hrs local time.
11th Apr 2011 A DESERVED FIFTH PLACE FOR NEUTROGENA »
After 100 days 03 hours 13 minutes and 25 seconds of sailing, Neutrogena completed the round the world voyage on Sunday at 17:13:25. The German/American duo formed by Boris Herrmann and Ryan Breymaier were one of the youngest crews in this Barcelona World Race.
10th Apr 2011 UNO, DOS, TRES ! »
Alex Pella and Pepe Ribes finish 4th of the Barcelona World Race onboard Estrella Damm and complete the podium of Spanish crews.
8th Apr 2011 WELL DONE PACHI, WELL DONE TOÑO! »
They were expected to finish early this morning, but Pachi Rivero and Antonio Piris were really slowed down over the last few miles and had to work hard to find any wind. They finally crossed the finish at 0847 hrs (local time) this Friday morning.
5th Apr 2011 MAPFRE SECOND IN BARCELONA »
The Spanish crew aboard the Mapfre monohull, comprising Iker Martinez (33) and Xabi Fernandez (34), finished in second place in the Barcelona World Race after Jean-Pierre Dick and Loïck Peyron. They sailed around the world double-handed in 94 days, 21 hours, 17 minutes and 35 seconds, covering 28,759 miles at an average speed of 12.63 knots.
4th Apr 2011 VIRBAC-PAPREC 3 WINNER OF THE BARCELONA WORLD RACE »
93rd day of racing. Jean-Pierre Dick and Loïck Peyron have won the second edition of the Barcelona World Race, the double-handed round the world race, which began back on 31st December. Virbac-Paprec 3 crossed the finishing line in Barcelona on Monday 4th April at 1220 hrs (local time) after 93 days, 22 hours, 20 mins and 36 seconds of racing. They covered the 29,075 miles at an average speed of 12.9 knots.
31st Mar 2011 Welcome back Thomas! »
The whole of the IMOCA Class salute Thomas Coville’s performance aboard his Sodebo.
Whilst Thomas was chasing after the record, he crossed the path of our skippers racing in the Barcelona World Race.
30th Mar 2011 BARCELONA WORLD RACE: SOME KNOWLEDGEABLE OBSERVERS »
The verdict on the Barcelona World Race will soon be known. Forced out of the competition much too early on, Jean Le Cam, Michel Desjoyeaux and Alex Thomson have continued to show a keen interest in the race. They offer us some of their thoughts about this second edition and already have a few ideas for us to ponder on for the future.
27th Feb 2011 A LOOK AT THE LATEST CLASS NEWS WITH LUC TALBOURDET »
Shortly before some of the skippers in the Barcelona World Race made their pit stop in New Zealand, Luc Talbourdet, President of the IMOCA class replied to a few questions about the race and took advantage of the opportunity to talk more about the next major dates on the IMOCA calendar.
17th Feb 2011 BARCELONA WORLD RACE: THE SITUATION AT THE HALFWAY STAGE »
As the leaders in the Barcelona World Race reach the halfway stage, it is a good time to carry out an appraisal of how this second edition has so far gone. The standard of those taking part, the way the boats are being sailed, how they are dealing with damage and the ice gates are among the features that stand out in this double-handed round the world voyage.
24th Jan 2011 A NEW RECORD »
By sailing 516.37 miles in 24 hours (awaiting ratification from the WSSRC), Jean-Pierre Dick and Loïck Peyron aboard Virbac-Paprec 3, have shattered the previous record held by Alex Thomson and Andrew Cape since the first edition of the Barcelona World Race. This performance only goes to confirm the progress that has been made in terms of the speed potential of the IMOCA 60 boats and indeed the ability of the skippers to get the most out of them.
31st Dec 2010 THE BARCELONA WORLD RACE IS UNDERWAY »
The weather was not so much Barcelona, more Breton or British, but it was the Laughing Cow, driven by a duo representing both the Mediterranean and Brittany, which led the 14-strong fleet away for the second edition of the Barcelona World Race.
29th Dec 2010 THE STATE OF PLAY WITH 2 DAYS TO GO TO THE START »
With not long to go now to the start of the Barcelona World Race, the technical teams are busy working on the final details. The fourteen boats taking part in this second edition of the round the world race are a great tourist attraction down on the pontoon in the Catalan city. On Wednesday morning, the skippers attended the usual question and answer session with journalists at the press conference organised before the start of the race on Friday at 1300hrs.
19th Dec 2010 INAUGURATION OF THE BARCELONA WORLD RACE VILLAGE »
Barcelona laid on its very best December weather for the city’s mayor Jordi Hereu as he formally welcomed the skippers who will take part in the Barcelona World Race and opened the Moll Barcelona World Race Expo and the Race Fleet Pontoon this Saturday.
18th Dec 2010 MIRABAUD CHRISTENED IN BARCELONA »
With two weeks to go to the start of the Barcelona World Race, Dominique Wavre and Michèle Paret’s boat was officially christened Mirabaud on Saturday by the Spanish opera singer Ainhoa Arteta.
17th Dec 2010 MARC GUILLEMOT TO GO AROUND AGAIN »
The Safran Group, which has been alongside Marc Guillemot since 2005, decided to give some time to the skipper to think about whether he wanted to take part in the next Vendée Globe, which is due to start from Les Sables d’Olonne on 11th November 2012. The skipper from la Trinité in Brittany will indeed be there on the starting line of the legendary round the world race aboard his 60-foot monohull Safran.
9th Dec 2010 THE 2012 VENDEE GLOBE LAUNCHED YESTERDAY AT THE PARIS BOAT SHOW »
Bruno Retailleau, President of the Vendée Council, officially launched the seventh edition of the Vendée Globe, at a press conference organised yesterday at the Paris Boat Show. An opportunity for Luc Talbourdet, President of the IMOCA class to reaffirm the objectives of the class, both in the area of safety and in terms of its future development.
5th Dec 2010 FRANCOIS GABART HEADING FOR THE VENDEE GLOBE »
The MACIF Group has just joined the IMOCA circuit. During the traditional evening celebrating the French Ocean Racing Champion, the French insurance company officially announced that the young Figaro racer François Gabart would be getting a brand new 60-foot IMOCA monohull next year with the goal of taking part in the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe.
2nd Dec 2010 THE BARCELONA WORLD RACE AT THE “NAUTIC” »
The Barcelona World Race will be out in strength at the Paris Boat Show from 3rd to 12th December. For this event, the Nautic Café (Hall 1, stand K 112) will be decked out in the colours of the non-stop double-handed round the world race, the second edition of which is due to begin on 31st December from the Catalan port. Various events will be organised including meetings with the sailors and presentations of the race. Please note that a press conference will be taking place on Tuesday 7th December on the stage area at the Nautic (Hall 1 / H101), in the presence of all the French skippers taking part in the event.
30th Nov 2010 THE SPANISH BREAKTHROUGH IN THE IMOCA CLASS »
After the establishment of a new record between New York and Barcelona, the organisation of the first Round Spain Sailing Race, we see more and more Spanish teams appearing... 2010 has been marked by the rise of Spanish skippers in the IMOCA circuit. We need to watch this development closely with just a month to go to the start of the Barcelona World Race.
17th Nov 2010 ROLAND JOURDAIN CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER AND WINNER OF THE ROUTE DU RHUM »
Roland Jourdain aboard Veolia Environnement leader of the IMOCA world championship and winner of the 9th Route du Rhum – la Banque Postale
Following the first edition of the race (1978), Michel Malinovsky wrote “Only winning is beautiful.” Roland could add to that “and it’s even more beautiful when it comes after a real battle.” Four years ago, Jean le Cam reminded everyone at the finish (28 minutes behind Roland Jourdain) that if you wanted a great winner, you needed a great runner-up. This year the great runner-up is Armel Le Cléac’h, who in Pointe-à-Pitre put the finishing touches to a magnificent race and a remarkable season.
15th Nov 2010 ROLAND JOURDAIN WINS THE ROUTE DU RHUM »
Roland Jourdain won the ninth edition of the Route du Rhum and in so doing achieved a historic second consecutive victory after winning the race four years ago. A well-deserved success for the skipper of Veolia Environnement, who dominated the race practically from start to finish, in spite of a top-class line-up where everyone was of a similar standard. Armel Le Cléac’h and Marc Guillemot took the remaining places on the podium in this race that was often exhausting and complicated.
8th Nov 2010 ROUTE DU RHUM: THE STATE OF PLAY AFTER THE FIRST HALF »
The eight solo sailors still racing are now about to tackle the final 1000 miles of the Route du Rhum. In the lead since 3rd November, Roland Jourdain is setting the pace and keeping those chasing after him in check. The title-holder, well placed to end up as winner in this exhausting race, can hope for a second win. But it is not over yet, as the gap between the boats is tending to fall and the end of the race looks rather tricky.
26th Oct 2010 WELCOME ABOARD! »
Our new IMOCA website has been launched and you can find everything you need to know about the IMOCA class. IMOCA is all about boats, or in other words skippers and their sponsors. We invite you to follow what is happening as we shall be bringing you up to date with everything going on with these projects.
20th Oct 2010 NINE IMOCA SKIPPERS LINING UP FOR THE ROUTE DU RHUM »
The start of the 2010 Route du Rhum will take place at 1202hrs GMT on 31st October. Nine skippers from the IMOCA class are expected to be moor up at the pontoons in Saint-Malo by 22nd October. Among them, several serious contenders hoping to win the race in Pointe-à-Pitre. For what will be the fourth time the 60-foot monohulls have lined up for the Queen of transatlantic races, they are expected once again to be very much in the limelight in this year’s Route du Rhum, a major event in the IMOCA world championship.
20th Oct 2010 THE IMOCA CLASS WELCOMES ITS OFFICIAL NEW PARTNER, AZIMUT COMMUNICATION »
As the Route du Rhum is about to get underway, Imoca is launching its new website and using the most up to date means of interactive communication. Azimut Communication , an IT specialist, is contributing its skills to step up the promotion of the IMOCA class, its skippers, sponsors and partners. This partnership will enable IMOCA to highlight its presence at the start of major races, at trade shows and every event that deals with ocean racing.
20th Oct 2010 RENAULT SPONSORING PIRIS AND RIVERO’S 60-FOOT IMOCA »
Antonio Piris and Pachi Rivero’s 60-foot IMOCA will be flying the colours of Renault in the next Barcelona World Race. The car firm, which for the second time running is one of the main partners of the race wished to support and give its name to the boat sailed by the duo from Cantabria.
18th Oct 2010 JAUME MUMBRU WITH CALI SANMARTI FOR THE BARCELONA WORLD RACE »
Jaume Mumbrú and Cali Sanmartí will be taking part in the Barcelona World Race on board We Are Water. Two more skippers in addition to the many Spanish skippers already registered for this second edition of the double-handed race around the world. With this new team in place, the We Are Water Foundation and the Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona confirm their support for solidarity projects on an international scale.
18th Oct 2010 JEAN LE CAM WITH BRUNO GARCIA FOR THE BARCELONA »
With the support of the Président brand (Lactalis Group), Jean Le Cam will be taking part in the Barcelona World Race, the double-handed round the world race, which begins on 31st December in the Catalan city. His co-skipper will be Spain's Bruno García and together, they will be aiming for the podium on Mike Golding's Owen Clarke designed IMOCA Open 60 (former Ecover 3).
15th Oct 2010 A CLASS THAT IS REALLY TAKING OFF »
New boats are being launched, there is more and more interest from around the world and events are proving to be increasingly popular… All of the ingredients are there to make the IMOCA class the leading category in ocean racing today. In particular, the coming weeks will feature two events with superb line-ups and where we can expect to see some closely-fought battles : the Route du Rhum, which starts in Saint-Malo on 31st October, then the Barcelona World Race, which begins in Barcelona on 31st December. Dynamic and attractive, the IMOCA circuit is looking towards the future and it certainly looks bright.
13th Oct 2010 A SIZEABLE IMOCA FLEET FOR THE END OF 2010 »
The Imoca skippers are due to meet up again in St Malo on 31st October for the Route du Rhum-la Banque Postale and in Barcelona on 31st December for the Barcelona World Race. 9 boats are set to compete in the Rhum and ten for the Barcelona.Some skippers are finishing off their projects in order to make it to the start line, while others are adding the final touches to their brand new prototypes.
8th Aug 2010 MIKE GOLDING LIFTS THE ARTEMIS CHALLENGE TROPHY »
British sports and film stars compete in the round the island sprint at Cowes Week. Mike Golding lifts the Artemis Challenge Trophy winning £10,000 for the RNLI.
29th Mar 2010 IMOCA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING »
The IMOCA class held its Annual General Meeting on 25th March 2010 at the FFVoile (French Sailing Federation). A day prior to that Marc Guillemot, World Champion 2009 received his prize during a ceremony organised by his partner SAFRAN. Marc Guillemot succeeds Armel Le Cléac’h, skipper of BRITAIR, who remains on the podium in third place, and precedes Michel Desjoyeaux, skipper of FONCIA, second in the 2009 Championship.
