Mainsail
This sail, installed at the rear of the mast on the boom, measures approximately 180 m2. Its surface area can be adjusted by reefing. In the Vendée Globe, IMOCA boats have 3 reefs (some have 4). Mainsails are fully battened, i.e. the battens run from the mast to the leech. This is the weakness of these sails: when the boat undergoes an involuntary gybe and the sail goes from one side to the other with violence, the battens break. Skippers take several spare battens with them.
Sail materials have evolved to offer better resistance over time (less deformation) and to be lighter. For example, a sail in "classic" fabric (Spectra) weighs 160 kg, while the new 3Di sails from North Sails weigh less than 100 kg.
Most skippers are able to afford a new sail for the start, except for those with very small budgets.
Headsails
In racing, jibs (headsails) are called J (J1 to J3). The "J" comes from Jib.
J1 âeuros solent
The J1 is the largest jib (140 m2). It is tacked at the bow and comes almost to the masthead. It's the light airsail for upwind sailing. It will come in very handy on the way down and up the Atlantic, particularly as we pass through the Doldrums.
J2 âeuros trinquette
The J2 is the sail that always stays put. In fact, its forestay is structural (it holds the mast). So it's hard to take it down. This 100 m2 jib is a key element in the boat's smooth running. Some competitors have even made it in 3Di from North Sails to make sure it works properly. If there were only one (with the mainsail), this is the one the skippers would choose.
J3 âeuros ORC
This small sail, designed for heavy weather, is set back from the J2. It measures around 50 m2 and can be lowered. If skippers use it with the mainsail on the 3 e reef, they can also unfurl it at the same time as the downwind sails (spinnaker, large gennaker) to increase the sail area in fine weather.
Tourmentine
It's a tiny jib made compulsory by the regulations. Often fluorescent orange in color, it is only used in the event of a really strong storm. In other words, it's going to stay in your bag all the way through the Vendée Globe, only really being used for trimming.
Small gennaker âeuros Code zéro
Often called "Code 0", this downwind sail (200 m2) is used when there's a breeze (25 to 35 knots of wind). It is trimmed on the bowsprit and arrives at the capelage, under the masthead. Fairly flat, it allows you to sail fairly close to the wind in light airs (like a code zero).
Large gennaker
This large 300 m2 sail is furled on a furler (unlike the spinnaker). This makes it easier to handle, but it's not suitable for full downwind sailing (between 120 and 160° from the wind).
Spi
The spinnaker remains the largest sail on board (400 m2!). It is only used in light airs for downwind sailing (between 5 and 20 knots of wind). It's an asymmetrical spinnaker (without spinnaker pole), which is tacked on the bowsprit.) The new hydrofoil IMOCAs, which have to hug the wind more to use their appendages and gain speed, hardly ever use them any more. Only in very light airs. It's fitted with a sock to facilitate delivery and lowering.
