The arrival of the IMOCA boats in the Ocean Race
A new name, a new logo, new boats... The Volvo Ocean Race has a new look and is now called The Ocean Race. For the next departure in 2021, the crewed round-the-world race with stopovers will be played out on two boats. Alongside the VO65 one-designs, the IMOCA 60-footers will now be sailing .
With these typically French racing boats, it is a great opportunity for France to shine from a sporting, technical and architectural point of view. We have a real cultural and technological lead for this type of boat.
Few French on the Volvo Ocean Race
With 6 French boats out of a total of 18 international crews, France was the most represented country on this first edition in 1973 (the race was then called the Whitbread). However, it was not until Groupama (Franck Cammas) won the race in 2011-2012 that France (re)discovered the Volvo Ocean Race.
And until now, few French skippers have participated in previous editions. However, with the transversality of practices - solo, Olympic, crew - today's sailors are multidisciplinary. Some of the French sailing circuits are among the most difficult in the world, such as the Figaro circuit.
If skills were not an obstacle to take part in the Volvo Ocean Race, language was, as Sam Davies, an English national with a French licence, explains. Because on board the boats of the Volvo Ocean Race, English is often spoken. A barrier that is less present today since English is more and more widespread in France.
From solo to crew
The race format of The Ocean Race is quite unusual for our French skippers, who are more used to solo sailing. On the one hand because it is a year-long race. On the other hand, because it is a race that is played out with a crew.
"If in France, skippers are used to managing a technical team when they are on land, at sea, they sail alone, as Paul Meilhat explains.
A real opportunity
The arrival of the IMOCA Open 60s is a real opportunity, as the French have a real know-how on these fast and technologically advanced boats.
Today, nine IMOCA boats are under construction, and some of them are being prepared for The Ocean Race. So, will this new race format be the opportunity for the French skippers to shine on this round the world race?
Paul Meilhat has already confirmed his desire to line up at the start of the race, which will be given from Alicante in 2021. "The Ocean Race is my priority "he confirmed. "It's a huge opportunity for me, for other French sailors and French companies to participate in this race to become more international. The Ocean Race is a huge and really international race, year long so it's very different from what we normally do, and it gives us a great opportunity."
German Boris Herrmann is also planning to participate in The Ocean Race. "It's a great opportunity for us IMOCA class sailors to come and join The Ocean Race. It's very inspiring, and I look forward to developing this project."
