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The Défi Azimut is an atypical event in the offshore race world. It’s the meeting between the IMOCA class which gathers together the skippers of the Vendée Globe and the Lorient-based company Azimut. It also aims to combine performance, innovation and strategy.
For its ninth edition, the Défi Azimut brings together new boats and already experienced Imocas to compete in racing mode and amaze us for five days in Lorient. Every year, this festive event gathers ocean sailing players around highly contested boat races, just a few weeks before the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre.
Source: Défi Azimut
2019 Défi Azimut key figures (source: Défi Azimut Facebook)
21 boats: the most beautiful IMOCA set since the beginning of the season
42 sailors (including 3 women) from the very highest level
20 media-men (17 men, 3 women): photos and videos as close as possible to the skippers
A challenge in 3 acts: Runs, 48 Hours, Tour de Groix
5 days of racing: a dense and sporty format, approved by skippers
300 crew members on board IMOCA (runs and Tour de Groix)
1 undisputed winner: Charal of Jérémie Beyou and Christopher Pratt who make the three-way pass
2 new boats: Arkea Paprec and Advens for Cybersecurity
4 generations of IMOCA: some completely restored to current standards such as Voile MACSF, Initiatives Cœur or PRB
14 foilers: Advantage to modernity even if some drift boats have resisted well.
65 Runned Runs: Each IMOCA was allowed a maximum of 4 runs on Wednesday
1 abandonment only! And this despite the sunny and windy weather
665 miles covered during the 48 hours: including 450 miles at an average speed of 21 knots!
26 knots: The average of the fastest run recorded by Charal with peaks above 30 knots…
400 hours viewed on Youtube, 91,000 people reached on Facebook
160,000 page views on the defi-azimut.net site (+ 100,000 compared to last year)
40,000 messages sent via Azimailing: The Azimut Challenge has an international reach thanks to a digital device that matches the new format of the race.
A very nice showcase for Guelt Nautic which has equipped a large part of these IMOCAs with keels, keel and rudder bearings, mechanical parts for foil control and many deck fittings.
