Ocean Racing Magazine - #6 - December 2007 & January 2008 - (Page 40)

IMOCA these decisions; a championship, which is justified partly by the desire to support projects after the Vendée, where there can only be three winners, and where there are going to be many disappointed people involved. However, it would be reasonable to say that this announcement did not come at the most opportune moment, just before the start of the Jacques Vabre." This argument was moreover one put forward by Pierre Bojic in the letter sent to the skippers. those, who believe there is reason for a certain enthusiasm and those on the contrary, who find them dangerous and compare the situation with what happened to the Orma class, when they believed they were powerful enough to take such decisions about their future all by themselves. All of these differing viewpoints need to come The Vendée Globe press conference on 10th October, when the IMOCA announced its calendar together. First there is the vote at the general meeting. Why not Metz, "and each element has his championship. "For me, that is organise a forum for the Imoca or her own interests." That is the not an argument," said Kito de class, where the desire to contireal problem, even if as Roland Pavant, "I must be the only racer nue in the long term is clearly Jourdain points out, "It is better in the Jacques Vabre who is not quite legitimate, but where the to have to deal with a growth world champion in something… means to achieve this can crisis than with a slump." and frankly that doesn’t stop me remain open to discussion. "The Finally, it should be remembered getting a good night’s sleep." truth lies somewhere in the that each racer can take part in That is one opinion, but not the middle of the triangle between the races he wishes to. They only one. the racers, organisers and finanwill simply not all be counted in cial partners," believes Grégoire the framework of the world Bruno Ménard AND NOW WHAT? There are those, who accept and those, who reject these decisions. Those, who regret them, but accept them (see the interview with Michel Desjoyeaux), Gérard Petipas : "The reactions are short-sighted" The former boss of Pen Duick, previously a major figure in ocean racing, Gérard Petipas has a clear opinion about the debate concerning the Imoca class. He gave OceanRacing his thoughts. What do you think about the recent decisions taken by the Imoca class concerning the calendar? and if we confuse matters, they will simply look elsewhere. Is the disappearance of the Imoca class from Open races something to be feared? A racer is there to race, an organiser to organise and a sponsor to enable major races to exist and provide feedback. It is the alliance of these three elements, which enables events like the Transat Jacques Vabre or the Route du Rhum to take place. Today, we are sinking into a certain degree of confusion, which in my opinion is harmful for everyone: the skippers, organisers, sponsors, and the general public. Do you think this decision was taken too quickly? The reaction is somewhat short-sighted. The decision taken by the Imoca committee seems to me to have been taken with too much haste. Of course, everyone should be allowed to express themselves, but progress can’t be made by orders from above. Look at what happened in the Orma class. They floundered because the class wanted to take control of everything. Before that there was the same problem in just three years for the Formula 40 boats. Perhaps a sailing discussion platform needs to be set up, which brings everyone together around the table, as if everyone keeps fighting his own battle, the sponsors are soon going to back down. Similar decisions taken by the Orma at the time lost us our partnership with Mondial Assistance and the City of Cherbourg. What needs to be understood is that sailing is in competition with many other sports on the desks of decision-makers, Ocean Racing - december 2007 In any case, it would be crazy. The strength of these great events is that it brings all the different types together, boats and skippers. Look at the general public: they are just as interested in the little local boy with a small budget as they are in the stars of the yachting world. It is the ocean adventure that makes them dream. Once again, with hindsight, we can see that the Orma grand prix events were a flop: in the end, they only interested those taking part and those close to them and they never received the media coverage they were hoping for. Saying that each class should have its own event is something that hasn’t really been thought through enough. Open races give us an occasion to dream and find adventure… so let the people dream!

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Ocean Racing Magazine - #6 - December 2007 & January 2008

Cover
Edito
Contents
What they said
News
Portfolio - The news in the picture
Transat Jacques Vabre - Monohulls in power
In the words of the skipper - Michel Desjoyaux, A little bit more
Barcelona World Race - A couple sailing around the world
Imoca - Growth crisis in the Imoca class
Transat 6.5 - A whole series of records
Mini Class - Anatomy of a winner
Multihulls - What sort of trimarans tomorrow ?
Volvo Ocean Race - Second generation
Trials - Mach 45 : an unusual IRC
Match Racing - King Richard
Tactics - A good start
Portrait - Jacques Caraës
Lab - Tubular or wing mast ?
Forty years ago - Chichester, the lonely sea and the sky
Equipment - Shop window
New products - From the drawing board to the boatyard
Opinion - The mirage of worshipping technology

Ocean Racing Magazine - #6 - December 2007 & January 2008