Macif renews its commitment to ocean racing - new IMOCA program 2027-2030
by IMOCA MACIF 14 Oct 12:00 BST
MACIF - Course des Caps © Guillaume Gatefait / disboey. / MACIF
A offshore racing player renowned for numerous victories, Macif announces the continuation of its commitment to ocean racing with an ambitious project that will begin in 2027 and end in 2030. A newly-constructed IMOCA will be on the starting line of the Vendée Globe 2028-2029.
The program is part of a collective approach of seasoned skippers, with Sam Goodchild the official skipper of the new program, Charlie Dalin as naval architect advisor and performance consultant, and Charlotte Yven, recent French Elite offshore racing champion.
In keeping with its history and successes, this new program aims to confirm Macif's position among the key players in ocean racing by placing the strength of the collective at the service of performance and sporting excellence.
An ambitious project with trusted partners
For this new program, Macif is launching the construction of a new IMOCA with its trusted partner MerConcept, to whom it has again entrusted the design and operation of the project. Built at CDK Technologies Port La Forêt, the architectural project has once again been assigned to Guillaume Verdier and his colleagues.
With a launch planned for spring 2027, this innovative and cutting-edge boat will be designed with performance in mind.
A collective of high-performing skippers
Sam Goodchild will take the helm of the new IMOCA for the entire 2027/2030 program. An experienced skipper, and IMOCA Globe Series 2023 champion, Sam has already sailed brilliantly on MACIF this 2025 season where he replaced Charlie Dalin and won, with Loïs Berrehar, the Course des Caps and the Azimut challenge.
"Joining a high-performing team like Macif is a real opportunity for me. I have been in contact with this team for several months now and I have found a lot of kindness and attentiveness, which pushes us towards ever greater performance. I thank Macif for believing in me, and Charlie for having confidence in me," said Sam.
Alongside him, Charlie Dalin will play a central and key role as naval architect advisor and performance consultant. After beating the world record by 9 days in the last Vendée Globe, Charlie had to face health problems forcing him to adapt his 2025 season accordingly.
Charlie announced, "My state of health does not allow me to plan for a next Vendée Globe, which requires extraordinary preparation and physical fitness". Macif has therefore offered Charlie a role at the centre of the project with a pivotal responsibility: that of naval architect advisor and performance consultant.
"I will experience the next Vendée Globe differently, but ultimately, whether on land or at sea, I know that I will experience it just as intensely and that I will do everything to take this project as high as possible with Sam and all the teams!" said Charlie.
Finally, Charlotte Yven, recent French Elite offshore racing champion, also joins the team as replacement skipper or co-skipper. Charlotte has an impressive record: the first ever women's podium in the Solitaire du Figaro, winner of the Transat Paprec, and French Elite offshore racing champion. In this 2027-2030 program, Charlotte will have a special role: working alongside Team IMOCA MACIF to gain as much experience as possible on IMOCAs and take part in her first races.