Today, the class brings together both fifty and sixty-foot Open boats - a good thirty boats - two categories of monohull, the measurements of which are governed by specifications, which remain open as far as the boat design is concerned, but are very precise in the area of safety (insubmersibility and stability rules…).

The major events for the class are the two non-stop round the world races, which take place every four years: the Vendée Globe (single-handed) and the Barcelona World Race (double-handed).
The other main events of the IMOCA championship are the classic single-handed transatlantic races “Route du Rhum” and “Artemis Transat”, as well as the Calais Round Britain Race (crewed). Starting in 2009, the IMOCA European Pro Tour (series of races linking certain European major venues) will round off  the IMOCA class racing schedule.


The IMOCA class : explanations

Luc TALBOURDET, Class Chairman : "We are very excited about competing in the Transat ECOVER BtoB. First of all, this race, which has been long awaited by the class, is a way for the boats and their skippers to return to Europe after the Jacques Vabre as well as an opportunity to put themselves to the test and qualify for the 2008 Vendee Globe.
However, it should be remembered that the BtoB Transat is a real competition, we a very original (and rarely raced) “west-east” course, that the ultra competitive skippers of the IMOCA class will undoubtedly do battle over right to the end.
Also, the facts that a) the race will take place during the Paris boat show, b) the public can easily get enthusiastic about sailors racing the Atlantic winter single-handed and) the race arrives in Brittany – the birthplace of French sailing -, should help to attract the public and media’s attention and produce some surprising results…”