After completing the Mini Transat in 2005, I wanted to pursue offshore racing further. There are several core competitive arenas and selecting the right one is a crucial first step.

The decision to head for the IMOCA 60 class is because it stands out amongst all other classes in ocean racing. The class association has been in existence since 1990 and it has an established 4-year circuit of professional races touching France, UK, Spain, USA, Brazil, Austrlia and now China, with massive public following and presence.

This spread of time and geographies mitigates sponsor risk and gives them more opportunities to benefit.

The major races from 2006 -2009 are:
2006 Route Du Rhum
2007 Barcelona World Race
2008 The Transat / The Vendee Globe
2009 The Transat Jacques Vabre

The boats, the Open 60s, are high-tech and thoroughly tested boats that the sailors love to sail and the public love to watch. Majority of racing configuration are solo or two up but there are some crewed racing as well. This gives me the opportunity to race together with experienced skippers to learn and improve making the transition to this class smoother. My chosen debut race is the Barcelona World Race.

About the IMOCA Open 60

An IMOCA 60 is a 60-foot long (18.28 metres) single-hulled (monohull) yacht, governed by a Class association called IMOCA. The Open 60 has been in existence since the late 1980’s and has grown into the largest offshore short-handed racing circuit in the world.  Primarily dominated by the French the class has grown to include strong contenders from the UK, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, the States and other countries. The IMOCA Open 60 circuit offers a host of trans-ocean races from the oldest transatlantic race, The Transat, to the Calais Round Britain race, the solo ‘Everest’ known as the Vendée Globe and the new two-handed non-stop round the world Barcelona World Race; as well as other multiple class events, such as, the Route du Rhum and the Transat Jacques Vabre.

Read more news of the IMOCA 60.

For more information, please contact Elaine at info@elainechua.com