The Imoca teams:
For a long time, the winning formula for the Volvo Ocean Race was: the team with the highest budget and the earliest to start development wins. In its heyday, some campaigns even afforded to build two boats to test against each other. This made it possible to optimise sails, crew and, last but not least, reliability.
From this perspective, Charlie Enright's US team 11th Hour should actually be unbeatable. As soon as it became known that the Ocean Race was focussing on the Imoca 60 as a class, they bought one of the fastest yachts in existence: Alex Thomson's "Hugo Boss". They used it as a kind of research vessel and developed their new "Malama" with top designer Guillaume Verdier based on their findings, which was also the first of the four new builds in the current race to be completed.
However, it is doubtful that the old rules will continue to apply to the new class. Because the Imocas are undergoing rapid change. It is probably the most innovative offshore class of all. The last time all five boats met, the Défi Azimut, Enright's team won, but 11th Hour was not clearly superior. The previous top boats "Apivia" and "Linked Out" still looked faster. And the newer Ocean Race rivals "Holcim - PRB" and "Biotherm" shone with top performances on the Route du Rhum. So it looks set to be exciting!
11th Hour Racing
Verdier/CDK
After two moderately successful Volvo campaigns ("Alvimedica", "Vestas 11th Hour"), skipper Charlie Enright is now starting as co-favourite for the first time. He has a tried and tested boat, a good budget and a strong crew. But the lead is relativised because other teams have more Imoca know-how and also pilot capable boats. Skipper Enright is not a winning skipper, but his navigator Simon Fisher is a Volvo icon: "Sci-Fi", as everyone calls him, has been there five times, once with Ian Walker's winning team "Abu Dhabi". On paper, 11th Hour Racing is slightly ahead. How fast the boat is - still unclear.
Charlie Enright, 38
- Team: 8/10
- Skipper 8/10
- Boat: 10/10
Biotherm
Verdier/Persico
Paul Meilhat is a prodigy in the Imoca class: he often achieves phenomenally good results on a small budget and has always been extremely strong as a co-skipper in two-handed races. A Route du Rhum victory in 2018, a second place in the Transat Jacques Vabre 2020 and a highly regarded, albeit prematurely ended, Vendée Globe participation speak in his favour. In November, he sailed to sixth place in the Route du Rhum with a boat that was only five weeks old, almost on a par with Kevin Escoffier. Although his boat is the least tested, and structural reinforcements were even laminated shortly before the start of the race, Meilhat has brought some experience on board with Sam Davies and Damien Seguin shortly before the start of the race. Provided they fit in well with the team and are on board for the important stages, the team has a realistic chance of finishing on the podium.
Paul Meilhat, 40
- Team: 7/10
- Skipper 8/10
- Boat: 8/10
Guyot Environnement
VPLP/Carrington
The only older design at the start is the 2015 "Hugo Boss", which most recently served as a development platform for 11th Hour. Thanks to the latest foils, it is considered to be very fast, but cannot quite keep up with the new builds, partly due to a lack of funds and personnel for the latest autopilot technology. However, the boat, which has been improved several times, is considered bulletproof. Dutreux is a highly talented skipper (ninth in the Vendée, eighth in the Route du Rhum). The Germans on board, Robert Stanjek and Phillip Kasüske, have little long-distance experience, but bite and sensitivity. They are underdogs who should not be underestimated, especially in the first stages when "Malizia Seaexplorer" and "Biotherm" may be sailing their boats a little more cautiously after last-minute repairs. The boat has proven that it is fast, holding the 24-hour record for an Open 60 to this day - albeit single-handed.
Benjamin Dutreux, 32
- Team: 7/10
- Skipper 6/10
- Boat: 6/10
Holcim - PRB
Verdier/Carrington
The brilliant fourth place with the new, barely optimised boat at the Route du Rhum has made it clear: Kevin Escoffier is once again living up to his reputation as a man with iron discipline and technical understanding. His Verdier design is as fast as an arrow, the skipper pushes extremely hard and, incidentally, has two Volvo participations on his CV, including victory in 2018 with "Dongfeng". He has charm and wit, but also an indomitable will. Not even the loss of his "PRB" in the Southern Ocean during the last Vendée made much of an impression on him. Nominated his crew last. Wants to - and can - win again. Despite the late decision to sail the Ocean Race, the Frenchman has managed to build a seemingly reliable boat at the first attempt. That makes him a real favourite alongside "11.th Hour". Sanni Beucke, a German Olympic participant from Cape Verde, is on board late and surprisingly, so the German fans should also be cheering for "Holcim PRB".
Kevin Escoffier, 42
- Team: 8/10
- Skipper 10/10
- Boat: 9/10
Malizia - Seaexplorer
VPLP/Multiplast
The first team under the German flag after the "Illbruck" victory in 2002 is starting with high expectations. The brand-new boat was recently weakened by minor technical faults and had to replace the foils shortly before the start due to structural damage. It now has the more C-shaped foils of a completely different design. Although the team reports very promising tests, we will have to wait and see how well the replacement foils really work. It is therefore difficult to assess their performance compared to the competition at present. "Malizia - Seaexplorer" is said to have advantages in the stormy south, for which Boris has optimised it. Her potential in light winds is still unclear. Skipper and team boss Boris Herrmann acted cautiously during the Route du Rhum, but has set his sights high for the Ocean Race. The crew is top class and combines Figaro and Imoca expertise. Top 3 candidate.
Boris Herrmann, 41
- Team: 9/10
- Skipper 8/10
- Boat: 8/10
Here to the books by exceptional sailor Boris Herrmann.
