IMOCA Class
Following our theme of celebrating boat classes that are closely tied to national holidays, we are celebrating the IMOCA class in honour of Bastille Day in France this July 14th. The French have always had a deep connection to sailing. From Bernard Moitessier to Eric Tabarly and many more, the French passion for this sport is legendary.
IMOCA is the acronym for ‘International Monohull Open Class Association,’ which was founded in 1991 to manage the 60’ class monohulls typically used in offshore racing and is based in Paris, France. The IMOCA organization created the IMOCA Globe Series which handles the single and double-handed race championships of which the Vendee Globe is the flagship but which also includes the Fastnet, Transat Jacques-Vabre, and is heavily involved in The Ocean Race (formerly The Volvo Ocean Race).
Emphasizing and cultivating sailor skill at the highest levels, pushing the technological boundaries on some of the most innovative yachts in the world, and placing both in some of the most challenging condition on the planet are the hallmarks of the IMOCA and the IMOCA Globe Series.
Follow the links below for more reading on this important organization and sailing class of modern times: