Sébastien Simon’s Juan K design Arkéa Paprec, again during a Lorient speed run. These two boats recorded similar times around 21.50kt – 2kt behind the Sam Manuard scow L’Occitane. Not too much should be read into the numbers as these runs are mainly a bit of fun, sailing with sponsors and guests onboard; but the distinct steps in speed do match the design cycles. This suggests a straightline deficit for the first-generation 2016 foilers versus the latest boats of perhaps 10 per cent… a huge gap over a 30,000nm course. However, the oldest 60s could be sailing around 40 per cent more slowly than the race winner – which is quite staggering
in 2020, to vote for changes for the next cycle (2021-2025) of the Imoca Globe Series and to plan the route for what lies ahead. A comprehensive international race programme with two round-
the-world races – the Vendée Globe ‘solo’ and The Ocean Race (crewed) –- was approved, as were some big ideas for the new class rules. Class president Antoine Mermod said: ‘No fewer than 18 solo, double-handed and crewed races feature in the programme plus two big round-the-world races. Once again we will see the pres- tigious races the Imoca skippers are familiar with: the Transat Jacques Vabre (2021 and 2023), Route du Rhum (2022), Transat CIC (2024) and New York-Vendée-Les Sables d’Olonne (2024). ‘For the next cycle the Défi Azimut officially becomes part of the
championship, as does the Vendée-Arctique-Les Sables d’Olonne race in 2022.’ Also, in June 2021, a new race linking Brittany to the Mediterranean will take place, The Ocean Race Europe, with crewed racing and stopovers, a very popular concept with members.
No elevators The much anticipated vote went against allowing elevators on rudders but a limit to the size of foils was accepted. Since the new foilers arrived there has been continual discussion about having elevators on the rudders to stabilise the Imocas while flying. Many people watching these new flying machines have commented how ‘ugly’ the boats look, rearing up then crashing back down. However, the proposal to add rear foils after the Vendée was voted down. Antoine Mermod explains: ‘The teams have studied this issue
through the class’s technical committee. This change will come to the Imocas in the future, that is certain. But with the voting we saw that it was a bit too early to take this step, which is important in terms of R&D and especially costs. We are continuing to work on the matter as a mid-term objective…’ At the moment the mast, keel and hydraulics are defined as
standard elements for the Imocas. In future other major elements will also become one-design components – the boom, foil and rudder systems (but not the foils themselves). Among other key decisions, the use of biomaterials is being encouraged for the non-structural elements aboard the next-generation boats.
Quick change Several projects rushed to find money to buy François Gabart’s first Macif Ultim when it went on the market but eventually it was Team Actual Leader that managed to seize the opportunity to jump up the ladder in the class. Now the existing Ultim Actual (previously Sodebo) is for sale which means another opportunity for a new team. By selling Actual to acquire Macif 100the president of Actual Leader group, Samuel Tual, confirms his commitment to the Ultim class until December 2023, the start of the Brest Oceans – the first race around the world in solo Ultims. Yves Le Blevec is of course a happy skipper: ‘This new step in
our project is probably the most exciting of my life as a skipper. Working with Samuel (Tual) we built a solid base to allow us to take advantage of a situation like this. With the acquisition of Macif 100 our objectives are revised upwards. I have a winning machine.’ Macif has won several races and is the current solo round-the-
world record holder. Meanwhile, the ‘new’ Sodebo and Edmond de Rothschild-Gitanaare in the starting blocks to attack the Jules Verne Trophy record, held since 2017 by Francis Joyon on Idec Sport in 40d 23h 30m 30s. An average speed of 22.84kt!
Changing the rules? Tanguy Bouroullec, son of Christian, founder and manager of the Pogo shipyard, won all three stages of the solo Mini race Les Sables- Les Açores. However, due to Covid-19 the race did not go to the Azores but was shortened to three stages between Les Sables d’Olonne and Morlaix Bay. Aboard his prototype Verdier foiling design, built at his father’s yard and launched last year for the Mini Transat, Bouroullec dominated the event and by the end of three stages had a substantial overall margin against his competitors. He also added to the two victories he already has on this course in a series boat, a Pogo 3 of course. The skipper of the foiler sailing under the colours of Cerfrance
knew his result was significant for the class as he has been steadily improving his foiling design during the 12 months it has been afloat (remember that it took scow champion David Raison much longer to turn his first Mini scow into a winning, game-changing machine).
SEAHORSE 23
FRANCOIS VAN MALLEGHEM/DPPI
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