16th Défi Azimut - Overall

Défi Azimut Lorient Agglomération © Manon Le Guen / Défi Azimut

Enjoying a fantastic slot in the IMOCA calendar, the Défi Azimut has proven to be a resounding success once again. Just six weeks before the start of the Route du Rhum, 14 skippers competed in the 48 H Azimut, with all the favourites and outsiders for the next transatlantic race present and correct. Added to that, three extra boats joined in the fun of the speed runs, including United by the Ocean, winner of The Ocean Race Atlantic, and DMG Mori Global One, one of the two new 2026 Verdier designs.

The stellar line-up was a guarantee of an amazing show, broadcast online for everyone to enjoy thanks to a partnership established with France Télévision Sport providing live coverage. In perfect conditions coloured by a medium breeze and flat seas, Macif Santé Prévoyance treated herself to a Run at 32 knots, a new record speed for the event that will go down in history. Right across the fleet, it was evident that the crews still relish this golden opportunity to put pedal to the metal with no holds barred and with guests aboard to enjoy the thrill of a lifetime.

The smokingly quick run was only the start of the yellow and blue IMOCA's domination this week. Impressively versatile and constantly upgraded by Team Macif, the Verdier design proved to be untouchable in terms of sheer speed. This performance was followed up by a masterful sprint in solo format in the 48 H Azimut by her skipper Sam Goodchild. The 'Franco-Briton came up against some stiff opposition in Allagrande Mapei (Ambrogio Beccaria) and Charal (Jérémie Beyou), but he was able to find another gear in the second half of the course. With the race extended slightly to compensate for the light airs associated with a high-pressure system, some of the competitors were forced to decide between respecting the course and ensuring they made it back to Lorient for the scheduled meetings with their sponsors on Sunday.

Indeed, nobody wanted to miss today's Tour de Groix round island race finale, contested in very light conditions and glorious sunshine, to the delight of all the guests aboard the IMOCAs. In the circumnavigation of Groix, it was Macif Santé Prévoyance who triumphed again ahead of MACSF (Corentin Horeau) and RESILIENT, a 2006 IMOCA with daggerboards helmed by Pierre-Louis Attwell, who was making his IMOCA debut on the racetrack.

Undergoing a major reset at the midway point between two Vendée Globes, there was no shortage of rookies in this IMOCA class. These include the arrival of Japanese sailor Masa Suzuki and Davy Beaudart, in his new role as skipper. There were also some familiar faces, albeit on brand-new or reconfigured boats like Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil-Air Caraïbes) and Jérémie Beyou (Charal). As such, for all those who hadn't competed in any of the pre-season races or had undergone a summer refit, this Défi Azimut was the perfect warm-up. Unsurprisingly, the skippers were absolutely buzzing throughout the fleet at the end of the 48 H sprint.