Le Défi Azimut Explained

Founded:2011
Classes:IMOCA 60, Ultim
Start:Lorient
Finish:Lorient
Type:off-shore race
Website:defi-azimut.net
Le Défi Azimut
Sponsor:Azimut
Venue:Bay of Biscay

Le Défi Azimut (French for "The Azimut challenge") is yacht race open only to the IMOCA 60 class. The yearly race, first held in 2011 contains typically three different competitions starting in Lorient, France.[1] The main event, a 48-hour offshore race in the Bay of Biscay is accompanied by the short Tour de Groix and a competition of speed runs over one nautical mile.[2]

Races

The competitions are held in solo or double-handed configurations alternating between the modes even and uneven years. In 2022 the competitions were also open for a crewed version, in preparation for the 2023 The Ocean Race. The Runs competition is always raced in a crewed configuration.

Race directors is Hubert Lemonnier.[3] In 2023 onboard reporters were required in the races.[4]

Azimut race

Until 2018 the main event was a 24h race over approximately 200 to 250 nautical miles in length. Since 2019 The 48 hour race approximately about 500 to 550 nautical miles, takes the competitors onto the Bay of Biscay.[5] [6]

Tour de Groix

The Tour de Groix is a small race rounding the island Groix a few kilometres off the coast of Lorient. Depending on weather conditions the race takes about two hours for the usually fully crewed boats.[7]

Runs competition

In the Runs competition the fully crewed boats compete in several rounds against each other on a one nautical mile long course.

Winners

Azimut race

!Year!First!Second!Third!Winning time!Winning yacht!Ref.
201121h 33mPRB 4[8]
2012Virbac-Paprec 3[9]
201320h 36mMacif[10]
2014Maître CoQ[11]
2015PRB 4[12]
2016Banque Populaire[13]
2017SMA[14]
201818h 39m 25sPRB 4[15]
20191d 18h 43m 46sCharal[16]
20201d 20h 56m 59sCharal[17]
20211d 15h 48m 02sApivia[18] [19]
2022crew1d 18h 56m 58s11th Hour [20]
2022solo1d 15h 42m 50sApivia
20231d 17h 46 m 43sCharal 2[21]

Tour de Groix

Only skippers, the Tour de Groix is held in a crewed setup.

YearFirstSecondThirdWinning timeWinning yachtRef.
2012Macif[22]
2013Jörg Riechers2h 38mSafran[23]
2014Safran
20151h 08m 10sPRB 4
20161h 32m 41sSMA[24]
20171h 34mSMA[25]
2018
20191h 08m 24sCharal[26]
20202h 29m 47sPRB 4[27]
20211h 52m 37sLinked Out
20221h 57m 21sMonnoyeur – Duo for a Job
2023no Tour de Groix due to rescheduling of the main event due to a storm[28]

Runs competition

Only skippers, the Runs are held in a crewed setup.

YearFirstSecondThirdWinning timeWinning yachtRef.
20134m 40sMacif
20146m 56sMaître CoQ
20154m 59sSMA
2016Safran[29]
2017
20184m 52sCharal[30]
2019Charal
20203m 5sL'Occitane en provence
20216m 53s11th Hour [31]
20222m 43sApivia
20232m 40sPaprec Arkea

Ultim spinoff

In 2014 the Défi Azimut added a race for Ultim class offshore trimarans.[32] Sébastien Josse won ahead of Sidney Gavignet, Yann Eliès and Loïck Peyron.

The event returned in 2021 with three participants.[33] Armel Le Cléac'h won ahead of Thomas Coville and Yves Le Blevec.[34]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mullan . Lydia . 2022-09-14 . Everything you Need to Know about Le Défi Azimut . 2024-01-09 . Sail Magazine . en-us.
  2. Web site: Defi Azimut: IMOCA Lorient Regatta Qualifikation für Vendee Globe 2024 . 2024-01-09 . segel.de.
  3. Web site: Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération . 2024-01-09 . www.imoca.org . en.
  4. Web site: The tough role of OBRs revolutionising the way we follow IMOCA racing . 2024-01-09 . www.imoca.org . en.
  5. Web site: The Défi Azimut is staying on course and speeds the rate up ! . 2024-01-09 . www.defi-azimut.net . en.
  6. Web site: Défi Azimut - Lorient Agglomération 2023: The promise of an epic festival . 2024-01-09 . www.sail-world.com.
  7. Web site: The races of the Défi Azimut . 2024-01-09 . www.defi-azimut.net . en.
  8. Web site: Communication . Azimut . Défi Azimuttransat en Imoca 60 qualificative pour le Vendée Globe - Défi Azimut IMOCA . 2024-01-09 . archives.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  9. Web site: Communication . Azimut . Défi AzimutDéfi AZIMUT IMOCA . 2024-01-09 . archives.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  10. Web site: Communication . Azimut . Défi AzimutDéfi AZIMUT IMOCA . 2024-01-09 . archives.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  11. Web site: Communication . Azimut . Défi AzimutDéfi AZIMUT IMOCA . 2024-01-09 . archives.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  12. Web site: Communication . Azimut . Défi AzimutLes actualités - Défi Azimut IMOCA . 2024-01-09 . archives.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  13. Web site: Communication . Azimut . Défi AzimutActualités du Défi Azimut - Défi Azimut IMOCA . 2024-01-09 . archives.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  14. Web site: Communication . Azimut . Défi AzimutDéfi AZIMUT IMOCA . 2024-01-09 . archives.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  15. Web site: Communication . Azimut . Défi AzimutDéfi AZIMUT IMOCA . 2024-01-09 . archives.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  16. Web site: 11th Hour, complète le podium des 48 Heures Azimut . 2024-01-08 . www.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  17. Web site: JÉRÉMIE BEYOU (CHARAL) WINNER OF THE SOLO 48HR AZIMUT, SAM DAVIES (INITIATIVES-CŒUR) 2ND! . 2024-01-08 . www.defi-azimut.net . en.
  18. Web site: Classements . 2024-01-08 . www.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  19. Web site: APIVIA, vainqueur des 48h AZIMUT . 2024-01-08 . www.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  20. Web site: Rankings . 2024-01-09 . www.defi-azimut.net . en.
  21. Web site: Standings of the Défi Azimut . 2024-01-08 . www.defi-azimut.net . en.
  22. Web site: Communication . Azimut . Défi AzimutDéfi AZIMUT IMOCA . 2024-01-09 . archives.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  23. Web site: Communication . Azimut . Défi AzimutDéfi AZIMUT IMOCA . 2024-01-09 . archives.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  24. Web site: Communication . Azimut . Défi AzimutActualités du Défi Azimut - Défi Azimut IMOCA . 2024-01-09 . archives.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  25. Web site: Communication . Azimut . Défi AzimutDéfi AZIMUT IMOCA . 2024-01-09 . archives.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  26. Web site: Flash : Charal vainqueur du Tour de l'Ile de Groix . 2024-01-08 . www.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  27. Web site: PRB wins the round the Ile de Groix . 2024-01-08 . www.defi-azimut.net . en.
  28. Web site: Newsflash: speed runs pushed back to Sunday . 2024-01-09 . www.defi-azimut.net . en.
  29. Web site: Les épreuves du Défi Azimut . 2024-01-09 . www.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  30. Web site: Communication . Azimut . Défi AzimutDéfi AZIMUT IMOCA . 2024-01-09 . archives.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  31. Web site: 11th Hour Racing - MĀLAMA - Vainqueur des runs . 2024-01-08 . www.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  32. Web site: Communication . Azimut . Défi AzimutDéfi AZIMUT IMOCA . 2024-01-09 . archives.defi-azimut.net . fr.
  33. Web site: Défi Azimut Ultim . 2024-01-08 . ultim.defi-azimut.net . en.
  34. Web site: Ranking . 2024-01-09 . ultim.defi-azimut.net . en.