On Sunday 3rd May at midday local time., the IMOCA season shall kick off in Port-La-Forêt with the start of the 1000 Race. Seven skippers will line up to take on a demanding 1000nautical-mile course, stretching from the Fastnet Lighthouse and onwards towards two waypoints in the Bay of Biscay.

After six months of refit work, preparation, and fine-tuning, this first offshore showdown marks a return to solo racing for the sailors since the 2024–2025 Vendée Globe. It also signals the beginning of a new competitive cycle, following a 2025 season largely dedicated to double-handed and crewed events.

A RETURN TO SOLO SAILING AFTER THE VENDÉE GLOBE

For Sam Goodchild, Violette Dorange, and Arnaud Boissières, Sunday represents a double comeback: a return to competition and to solo racing—this time aboard the boats that they are still getting to know.

Sam Goodchild now helms Macif Santé Prévoyance, launched in 2023 and winner of the last Vendée Globe with Charlie Dalin.

Violette Dorange, who finished 20th in the Vendée Globe, steps up to a new level, moving from a daggerboard IMOCA to a foiling boat. She succeeds Samantha Davies aboard the red IMOCA racing under the Initiatives Cœur colours.

Arnaud Boissières, meanwhile, begins a new chapter. After competing in the last Vendée Globe aboard a 2010 VPLP-Verdier design, he has acquired Benjamin Dutreux’s 2015 IMOCA. Now racing under the April Marine banner, he is also seeking a co-partner for the season.

FIRST SOLO IMOCA RACES FOR A NEW GENERATION

The 1000 Race also offers several skippers the chance to tackle their first solo IMOCA race, in a relatively short format and on familiar waters.

Corentin Horeau, already an accomplished solo sailor with a victory in the 2023 Solitaire du Figaro, takes a significant step forward as he transitions to the IMOCA MACSF (formerly Yoann Richomme’s Paprec Arkéa).

A similar challenge awaits Nicolas d’Estais, a seasoned Class40 solo racer, who begins his IMOCA career alone aboard Café Joyeux.

Francesca Clapcich, more accustomed to crewed racing, particularly in The Ocean Race, will make her solo debut this Sunday.

Élodie Bonafous, based in Port-La-Forêt for the past five years, knows these waters well. But Sunday will mark her first time racing solo at the helm of her IMOCA—an important milestone ahead of her major goals this season, including the Route du Rhum in the autumn.

THE LINE-UP 

  • Arnaud Boissières - April Marine - Recherche co-partenaires
  • Élodie Bonafous - Association Petits Princes – Quéguiner
  • Francesca Clapcich - 11th Hour Racing
  • Violette Dorange - Initiatives Cœur
  • Nicolas d’Estais - Café Joyeux
  • Sam Goodchild - MACIF Santé Prévoyance
  • Corentin Horeau - MACSF 

THE RACE TRACKER 

THE PROGRAMME 

Friday 1st May 

10:00 : Opening of the race village
12:00–16:00 : Speed runs in Concarneau Bay
19:00 : Prize-giving ceremony on the main stage
19:30 : Live music with Selle à Watt

Saturday 2nd May 

10:00 Opening of the race village
11:00 : Giant drawing activity on Kerleven beach
12:00 : Autograph session on the main stage
19:30 : Live music 

Sunday 3rd May 

06:00: IMOCA fleet departs to sea
09:00: Village opens / skippers depart by RIB
12:00 : Official race start (live on YouTube)
15:00 : Race village closes

JOIN THE 1000 RACE WITH VIRTUAL REGATTA 

The first race of the IMOCA Virtual Series is started on Sunday!