When The Ocean Race announced it would have an IMOCA 60 fleet in its 2022-23 edition, it shook up the offshore racing world. Suddenly sailors who’d made a career all alone for months while sailing the Vendée Globe were talking about refitting to make space for crews. Likewise, sailors who’d made names for themselves in the VO70 and 65 started drawing up plans to transition their teams to IMOCA 60s. One such team is the sustainability-focused 11th Hour Race Team.
IMOCA 60 class is governed by a box rule, meaning that yachts can vary widely within the class as long as they follow certain parameters like LOA and safety guidelines. Notably, the IMOCA 60 has historically been designed for the Vendée Globe, a race with a primarily downwind course (the fastest possible circuit of the globe). This means they’re optimal downwind boats, but not as strong on a beat…