Presentation
With its atypical cockpit, slender bow and foils, this powerful and elegant monohull has been designed to meet a common ambition: to take Yoann to the top of the Everest of the seas, the Vendée Globe, in November 2024.
Pascal Conq and Antoine Koch form a duo of architects who are new to the IMOCA class. However, both have a wealth of experience. The first, along with Jean-Marie Finot, designed the winning boats in the Vendée Globe in 1993 (Gautier), 1997 (Auguin), 2001 (Desjoyeaux) and 2004 (Riou), as well as those that won the BOC Challenge in 1991 and 1995 (Auguin) and 1999 (Solidini). The second has a dual profile of sailor and engineer, having worked on all types of high level projects (IMOCA, Ultimes, Mod70, Figaro...). The pair joined forces to design PAPREC ARKEA, as well as For People, with the particular aim of "putting the human element back at the centre of our concerns".
The slender, graceful bow is 'tuliped' to maintain high speed in heavy seas. This shape is similar to the design of motorboat hulls, which sail very flat. The idea of Yoan and the architects was to get as little water on deck as possible and to eject as much water as possible over the sides.
This cockpit, which attracts attention, is particularly innovative. Manoeuvring, watching, resting... Everything will be done in this "semi-watertight" area, in the centre of the boat.
Overall, there is a desire to improve downwind performance. The design of the hull but also that of the foils - "they are tolerant, capable of maintaining their efficiency and returning to their flying mode quickly after passing through the waves" - which contribute to "maintaining a higher speed" and therefore to "gaining in efficiency downwind". This is one of the key technical challenges in order to play a leading role in the next Vendée Globe.
From its very first season, the IMOCA Paprec Arkéa has been showing off, with its IMOCA Class rookie skipper. They took part in all the races on the circuit, finishing with victory in the Retour à La Base, the solo return leg of the Transat Jacques Vabre.
The mission of this boat was clear: to win the Vendée Globe. A goal that was almost achieved, as Yoann Richomme and his Finot-Conq–designed IMOCA finished second in the 2024–2025 solo round-the-world race.
Driven by a constant desire to push innovation even further, the Paprec Arkéa team decided to build a new IMOCA for the next Vendée Globe. It was in this context that Corentin Horeau, with the support of MASCF, chose to acquire this boat.
