With only 22 entries for the 13th edition, the Imoca class faces a post-Vendée Globe slowdown, but solutions such as the split circuit are emerging to revive momentum.
The 13th edition of the Route du Rhum is in full swing this Sunday in Saint-Malo, but the event highlights a troubling reality for the Imoca class. The list of entrants numbers only 22 boats, a figure in free fall compared to the 38 units lined up for the 2018 edition. This marked reduction reflects a real lull that has swept through the world of offshore racing since the conclusion of the last Vendée Globe, a period during which the class struggled to attract new skippers and maintain enthusiasm around its major events.
At the heart of this challenge, the debate is lively within the sailing community. The central question lies in the class's ability to revitalise its calendar and renew interest among audiences and partners. While the drop in participation worries organisers, signs of recovery are nevertheless beginning to appear, suggesting that the class is not in an absolute dead end but is actively seeking new growth drivers for the seasons to come.
Among the avenues explored to break out of this trough, innovation in the structure of competitions is the subject of intense exchanges. The concept of a split circuit, which would make it possible to multiply racing opportunities or diversify formats, is being closely scrutinised as a potential lever for retaining the skipper base. This approach aims to make the calendar more attractive and offer greater visibility to sailors, beyond the classic transoceanic regattas that currently form the backbone of the discipline.
The second-hand market also plays a subtle role in this complex equation. The management of the used fleet and access to new-generation boats directly influence the ability of skippers to remain competitive and engaged in the class. A delicate balance must be found between peak performance, often linked to new yachts, and the economic sustainability of participants, in order to broaden the base of practitioners while maintaining the technical demands that characterise the Imoca.
At the heart of this challenge, the debate is lively within the sailing community. The central question lies in the class's ability to revitalise its calendar and renew interest among audiences and partners. While the drop in participation worries organisers, signs of recovery are nevertheless beginning to appear, suggesting that the class is not in an absolute dead end but is actively seeking new growth drivers for the seasons to come.
Among the avenues explored to break out of this trough, innovation in the structure of competitions is the subject of intense exchanges. The concept of a split circuit, which would make it possible to multiply racing opportunities or diversify formats, is being closely scrutinised as a potential lever for retaining the skipper base. This approach aims to make the calendar more attractive and offer greater visibility to sailors, beyond the classic transoceanic regattas that currently form the backbone of the discipline.
The second-hand market also plays a subtle role in this complex equation. The management of the used fleet and access to new-generation boats directly influence the ability of skippers to remain competitive and engaged in the class. A delicate balance must be found between peak performance, often linked to new yachts, and the economic sustainability of participants, in order to broaden the base of practitioners while maintaining the technical demands that characterise the Imoca.
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Source: Ouest-France