on 16 Jan 2023
For the first time, the IMOCA class of foiling yachts compete in The Ocean Race, one of the world's best known and toughest regattas
On January 15, The Ocean Race fleet consisting of two classses – the IMOCAs and the VO65s – set off from Alicante, Spain on the 14th edition of the one of the world’s best known regattas. An estimated crowd of over 100,000 were on hand to witness the start of the race. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the round-the-world race, which began in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race.
On September 8, 1973, a fleet of 17 amateur yachts and their crews set off from Portsmouth, England, establishing an event that would become a fixture in the international sailing calendar and one of the most technologically advanced and gruelling regattas in the world.
The 60-foot IMOCA Class is racing around the world for The Ocean Race Trophy, while the 65-foot VO65 Class is racing for The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint Cup over three legs.
First off the start line was a fleet of six VO65s, the one-design yachts that are competing in a truncated version of the event. They will race for the top prize in The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint, consisting of only the first and last two legs of the circumnavigation.
The main event and the circumnavigation will be completed by the fleet of five IMOCA class foiling yachts, each crewed by just five sailors. This is the first time that the IMOCA class has sailed in the event. The IMOCA fleet set off two hours after the VO65s at 4pm local time.
Read: Can Offshore Racing Restore Ocean Health?
Both fleets will converge on Cabo Verde, the first time that the African island-nation has had a stopover. Cabo Verde is about 1900 nautical miles from Alicante. After the IMOCA fleet departs for its South African stopover, the VO65 fleet will be sent back to Europe.
The fleet enjoyed warm temperatures and sunny skies for the start. The IMOCA fleet enjoyed 12-14 knot breezes at the start. However, strong westerly winds are expected to build up, making the passage through Gibraltar and into the Atlantic more difficult.
Overall race favourites 11th Hour Racing Team, skippered by Charlie Enright, had a disappointing start but managed to recover. 11th Hour Racing is the veteran team, and 11th Hour Racing is one of the premier partners of The Ocean Race, along with Volvo, which used to be title sponsor.
The IMOCA foiling fleet showed their speed potential from the outset with inshore racing regularly exceeding 30 knots.
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