Founded in 1991 and recognised by ISAF (International Sailing Federation) since 1998, the IMOCA Class is the association of skippers of 60-foot Open monohulls (IMOCA60s).

IMOCA defines the rules ensuring fairness, while encouraging innovation and developing the safety of the boats.

The racers within IMOCA play an ongoing role in these technological laboratories that the IMOCA60 monohulls represent. Developments to class rules mean that remarkable progress has been made in the area of boat safety (righting and stability tests, the development of passive safety, emergency hatches,…) contributing to improvements in living conditions and safety on board. But IMOCA is also involved in research and the development of sustainable and responsible solutions. 

The first to witness the effects of climate change and committed to the need to respect the environment, IMOCA skippers contribute to this each day with the development and research into solutions to find alternative energy sources (hydrogenerators, wind turbines, solar energy, fuel cells), leading to the development of hybrid solutions and the construction of boats that are designed to last.

With the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) and IMOCA during the 21st edition of the United Nations Conference on climate change (COP21), all 30 IMOCA skippers have decided that they will participate with their boats in the climate-data-gathering project in remote oceans, and particularly the Southern Ocean.

Every IMOCA 60 will eventually be equipped with a standard environmental pack, which will serve the needs of scientific research and operational oceanography without compromising the performance of these state of the art racing machines.

IMOCA OCEAN MASTERS: WHERE SAILORS BECOME HEROES

Ocean racing is an adventure, one of the few extreme adventures left in the world today. Sailing single-handed or double-handed non-stop and unassisted, across oceans and around the world is one of the most impressive displays of bravery, commitment, determination and unwavering dedication.

It is a human story. One human and one boat pitted against nature. These sailors overcome the most extreme weather conditions, in some of the most remote parts of the world’s oceans to make their dreams reality.

Over a period of 24 months the best sailors in the world test their will, skills, endurance, their art, their limits on IMOCA 60 racing yachts in legendary solo and double-handed races under the harshest conditions – across oceans and round the globe – with dramatic passages around the most famous capes.

The Vendee Globe, Rolex Fastnet Race, Route du Rhum, Transat Jacques Vabre, and Barcelona World Race are some of the spectacular legs in this IMOCA Ocean Masters World Championship.

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