Imoca : les dernières infos Tip & Shaft

Having served as the doctor for the Finistère offshore racing training centre in Port-la-Forêt for 17 years (until last April), and also for the last edition of the Vendée Globe, Laure Jacolot speaks to Sailorz about the announcement by Charlie Dalin of the illness (gastrointestinal cancer) he has been suffering from for two years, which he also discusses in a book released on Thursday, La force du destin (The Strength of Destiny, Gallimard).

On 30 September, Bureau Vallée announced the end of its sporting partnership in April 2026 with Louis Burton, initiated in 2010. Since the last Vendée Globe 2024-2025, other sponsors have done the same. Is this a direct consequence of the current economic climate or a return to normal after euphoric years? Sailorz investigated.

Director of Planète Racing, the organisation that has managed the Imoca Initiatives Cœur project for the past twelve years, David Sineau announced this week  hat the partnership will come to an end at the end of the 2025 season. He explains his decision to Tip & Shaft.

Four years after a ‘irst edition contested in complex sanitary conditions, The Ocean Race Europe sets off from Germany on 10 August, with the ambition of establishing itself as a permanent fixture on the Imoca calendar, despite the seven boats taking part falling a little short of expectations.

After six consecutive Vendée Globe races, Jean Le Cam announced this week in Le Télégramme that he will not be taking part to the 2028 edition, denouncing the “elitism” of the Imoca class and the “infernal” rules. Tip & Shaft looks back at this announcement.

After winning the Vendée Globe in January, Charlie Dalin was determined to continue his momentum in 2025 on the Imoca circuit aboard Macif Santé Prévoyance. A medical unforeseen event changed the situation, forcing his team and his sponsor to make a rare decision: the 2025 season will be without him, but with Sam Goodchild , seconded by Lo ïs Berrehar. Explanations.

Making ready to start her first Imoca race, the Course des Caps, with Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia, 31-year-old Cole Brauer became the first American woman to race solo non-stop around the world in May last year when she finished second in the Global Solo Challenge on her Class 40 First Light in 130 days.

From 24 June, Boulogne-sur-Mer will play host to the Course des Caps – Banque Populaire du Nord, a new event on the Imoca calendar which will see eleven crews racing around the British Isles. A legendary race which has risen from the ashes, starting in a region which hopes to become a permanent fixture on the French sailing scene.

Launched on 3 June in La Trinité-sur-Mer, Armel Tripon’s Imoca Les P’tits Doudous was christened on Thursday In Nantes. This is the culmination of a long process for this VPLP design built by the Duqueine Atlantique yard, using decommissioned carbon from the aeronautical industry. Tip & Shaft tells you more about this unique project. 

At a press conference in Paris on Thursday, Paprec made official its commitment to Yoann Richomme for a further four years, with a new Imoca boat, but without Arkéa. Tip & Shaft tells you more.

Justine Mettraux, supported by her sponsors for the 2024 edition, TeamWork and the Snef group, made official, on May 26, the launch of a new Vendée Globe campaign, with the key to building a Verdier design at CDK, scheduled for launch in spring 2027. Tip & Shaft tells you more.

TR Racing, the Malizia and Banque Populaire teams announced on Monday their partnership for the design and construction of their respective Imoca yachts, Antoine Koch designs built at CDK. Tip & Shaft tells you more.