Défi Azimut – Lorient Agglomération 2022: Fully booked

Défi Azimut – Lorient Agglomération 2022: Totally booked

by Agence Effets Mer 23 Jul 20:34 UTC
13-18 September 2022

What an epic turnout for this twelfth Défi Azimut – Lorient Agglomération! Although each version of this multi-format occasion, so fashionable with the IMOCA skippers, brings one thing new to the plate, the 2022 model is shaping as much as be actually distinctive.

To notice:

• The twelfth Défi Azimut – Lorient Agglomération will happen in Lorient, Brittany from 13 to 18 September 2022: 5 days of racing in a number of codecs with Velocity runs, a 48-hour dash and the Tour de Groix spherical island race.
• An distinctive line-up: round thirty IMOCAs anticipated, seven of them making their race debut.
• Formally a part of the IMOCA GLOBE SERIES Championship since 2021, the Défi Azimut now counts in direction of the qualification system (miles) for the upcoming Vendée Globe.
• For the primary time, the occasion will function the IMOCA warm-up for The Ocean Race.

Up in opposition to the highest boats from the final Vendée Globe, there will likely be no fewer than 7 brand-new prototypes christening their foils this September offshore of Lorient.

30 rivals, 7 new boats, 9 rookies

Biotherm (Paul Meilhat), Charal 2 (Jérémie Beyou), Initiatives Cœur (Samantha Davies), Maître CoQ V (Yannick Bestaven), PRB (Kevin Escoffier), Malizia – Seaexplorer (Boris Herrmann) and V and B-Monbana-Mayenne (Maxime Sorel) are eagerly awaited… to which we’re tempted so as to add Charlie Enright’s eleventh Hour Racing Workforce – Malama, precursor of this new technology, launched for the Défi 2021.

“It takes time to get one of the best out of a brand new design, however it may be thrilling to measurement up the true efficiency of every architectural possibility, particularly within the Runs,” commented Charlie Dalin, reigning champion of the Défi Azimut – Lorient Agglomération, which he gained in double-handed format final 12 months alongside Paul Meilhat. The skipper of Apivia continues: “Since all these new boats have been introduced, I have been actually wanting ahead to the Azimut. Basically, it is synonymous with the beginning of the second half of the season, which can culminate with November’s Route du Rhum – Vacation spot Guadeloupe.”

New boats then, but additionally some new faces: The Défi Azimut – Lorient Agglomération will likely be an important alternative to get to know a number of of the occasion’s rookies, a few of whom have additionally simply arrived on the IMOCA circuit. These embody Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur-Duo for a job), Nicolas Rouger (Demain c’est loin), Guirec Soudée (Freelance.com), Tanguy Le Turquais (Lazare), James Harayda (Gentoo Crusing), Ollie Heer (Ollie Heer Ocean racing), in addition to Louis Duc (5-Lantana Environnement), Eric Bellion (COMMEUNSEULHOMME powered by Altavia) and even Kojiro Shiraishi (DMG MORI International One)… all of whom will likely be sampling the delights of the Défi for the primary time. One other alternative to set the usual then, in addition to an opportunity to rack up the miles with a view to their qualification for the Vendée Globe 2024-25.

Fundamentals and improvements

It is a first for the Défi after its integration within the IMOCA GLOBE SERIES Championship final 12 months and it’s “nice recognition for all of the work we have been doing for the previous ten years and extra” in keeping with Candice Crépeau director of the Défi. “The outstanding line-up of round thirty rivals, a 3rd of whom are from abroad, actually steps issues up a gear throughout each side of the organisation. It is a problem for our crew and that is what we like!”

It will be vital to get creative out on the water too. Certainly, this 12 months, the Runs will likely be contested in swimming pools, as Race Director Hubert Lemonnier explains: “Inside every group, we assure the skippers a minimal of two runs. As they will be battling over a shorter interval, the sporting fairness will likely be enhanced.” The winners from every pool will undergo to the ultimate, with the outright champion being selected Wednesday night.

“On the fringes of the aggressive enviornment, the Défi Azimut – Lorient Agglomération will as soon as once more be a possibility to deliver collectively the community’s protagonists round a collection of conferences, debates and spherical tables, which can inject some added soul into the Défi, together with a novel conviviality,” pronounces Jean-Marie Corteville, president of the Défi and director of Azimut, an organization which supplies laptop options.

So see you from 13 September for 5 days of intense battles, with sharing in abundance!

4 crews firstly in ‘The Ocean Race’ mode

On this Route du Rhum 12 months, the 48 Heures du Défi Azimut should be raced in solo format (with an on board reporter). Nonetheless, the occasion’s proximity to The Ocean Race (ex. Whitbread Around the World Race, ex. Volvo Ocean Race), the around the world race with stopovers, which can set sail from Alicante in Spain on 15 January 2023 for its 14th version, signifies that 4 or 5 boats will likely be contesting the race in crewed format (4 sailors, together with at the least one girl, plus an on board reporter).

“The Défi Azimut has all the time been geared across the subsequent main race, thus serving as the best warm-up. Consequently, it’s totally logical to have these boats because of take part in The Ocean Race competing in crewed configuration. Naturally, that on no account impacts the line-up of singlehanded sailors, who will nonetheless be capable of compete for the normal occasion file,” explains Antoine Mermod, president of IMOCA.

On this approach, Biotherm, GUYOT Environnement – Workforce Europe, Malizia – Seaexplorer and eleventh Hour Racing Workforce – Malama will profit from their first ever match collectively within the 48 heures. Their course will likely be barely longer, with line honours logically going to one of the best solo sailors.