New skippers join the Imoca class

Since the last Vendée Globe, the Imoca class has welcomed new skippers, most of whom come from the Class40. Nicolas d'Estais had paved the way last year, followed by Pierre-Louis Attwell, Robin Marais, William Mathelin-Moreaux, and Jean-Baptiste Daramy. On Thursday, Aurélien Ducroz announced the acquisition of the former Acciona to launch his own project in 2027. Sailorz spoke with him and with Jean-Baptiste Daramy, who explain their respective projects.

Skippers transition from smaller classes

A number of people in their thirties and forties are joining the class after having competed in the Mini 6.50 and several seasons in the Class40. After Nicolas d'Estais last year, Pierre-Louis Attwell officially announced his Resilient project in March, as did Robin Marais this summer with Respire, all three launching on foilers.

New boats and projects emerge

Last week, William Mathelin Moreaux emerged from the shadows, this time on a foiler with the colors of the Invincibles. Earlier, Jean-Baptiste Daramy revealed the partners accompanying him on the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe, while on Thursday, Aurélien Ducroz announced the acquisition of the former Acciona.

Aurélien Ducroz's ambitious plan

The 44-year-old Chamoniarde's project, named Ocean Peak, aims to "combine his two passions," the sea and the mountains, combining the Vendée Globe 2028 and the ascent of 82 Alpine peaks over 4,000 meters. With the acquisition from the Canadian Scott Shawyer of the Owen Clarke design launched in 2012 for the Spaniard Javier Sanso, Aurélien Ducroz thus takes the first step. The Chamoniarde has not really explored the foiler route, stating that it was at least twice the price.

Financing and future plans

The launch date also counted, at a time when the Imoca class is considering potentially retiring the oldest boats. The skipper confirms that the fact of being from a more recent generation than the 2008 has weighed in the balance. The purchase, finalized on Tuesday, October 6, was partly financed by the sale of the former Crosscall to Thomas Lurton, by a bank loan, but also thanks to the support of Thomas Riboud-Seydoux, a childhood friend of the freeride champion, who invested 50% of the funds.

Budget and sponsorship needs

Now remains to take a second step, that of the operating budget, "around a million euros per year, with a part of depreciation included," for the next two seasons. The Chamoniarde is looking for a title sponsor among a group of historical partners, such as Helly Hansen, the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc and a hotel group in Chamonix, with the ambition to launch on his double project as soon as possible. The program will be roughly the same for the other new Imoca skippers, most of whom come from the Class40.

Jean-Baptiste Daramy's project

Jean-Baptiste Daramy is preparing to compete in his third Route du Rhum with a budget of 250,000 euros, "lower than what I had four years ago in the Class40." He continues that it's possible this year because they have done a lot themselves and have a somewhat old-fashioned project, with volunteers helping them, but for the next two years, they won't be able to continue like this, they will have to pay people, buy sails, and optimize the boat. He will have to free up a bit more time for his sports project.

Daramy's boat and funding

The 45-year-old Basque, with two Mini Transat and two Route du Rhum under his belt, working as a composite materials engineer at CompositAdour in Bayonne, has indeed taken a leave of absence starting in early September to compete in the Rhum 2026 aboard his Imoca with a keel, although initially he aimed for a foiler. He visited several boats, including those of Guirec (Soudée), Arnaud Boissières, and the Canadian (Scott Shawyer), but couldn't find a financial agreement. Finally, he found the former Tut Gut! of Oliver Heer via the classified ads of Sailorz. The purchase was finalized in May last year and made possible thanks to an opening of the capital of his company to investors, each bringing about 50,000€.

Updating the boat with limited resources

Since then, Jean-Baptiste Daramy has not spared any effort to update the boat with limited means. He bought second-hand sails thanks notably to Arnaud Boissières and Alain Gautier, who gave him prices defying all competition, as well as Manu Cousin for some spare parts. The Basque originally intended to change boats during the journey but reconsidered, stating that if you tell a business leader that you need to invest for at least three to four years to amortize a foiling Imoca, they might not have visibility for six months, how can you project for four years? He is happy with the current boat and will set off on November 1st from Saint-Malo under the colors of Anett and Kalhyge.

Future funding and competition

The budget envisaged for the next two years would be at least 600,000 € per year. He is happy to reunite next year on the Imoca circuit with former "colleagues" from the Class40, including Aurélien Ducroz.