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Built out of carbon fibre and fibreglass and using aerospace technology to be robust but also extremly light and fast, this boat is the “Formula-1” ocean racing machine of the high seas. This ocean-going greyhound can reach speeds of up to 33 knots at the fastest point of sail, and can cover over 400 miles a day.
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Although 60 foot long, it is designed to be handled by just one person. The skipper’s “mobile home” inside the cabin is very compact and austere as the rest of the boat is stripped down for racing. Satellite transmission equipment enables the skipper to send back still and moving pictures to shore during racing.
The navigation station is equipped with the latest technology, including satellite phone, and instrumentation displays for performance and position data. The onboard computers are used to run navigation, email and media editing software.
Raced in all conditions and across all the oceans, this boat has been created to break all records.
Two types
Two different types of boat compete in the world's most demanding yacht race. The first, the IMOCA Open 60, is one of the fastest in its class of ocean-going yachts. The boat's carbon-fibre structure ensures optimal speed when slicing through the water – and provides sufficient strength to withstand the unbelievable forces hurled at it by the seas.
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The IMOCA has been specially developed for single-handed racing with few creature comforts on board. The boats have special keels which "cant" to the windward side, and water-filled ballast tanks are used to compensate for the lack of weight of a crew. The boats comply with strict safety requirements laid down by the IMOCA class association, which demand, among other things, that the skipper is able to right the boat on his own should it capsize.
The second boat type, the IMOCA Open 50, is the 60's smaller sister; however, though loads, speeds and budgets are lower, the challenge of racing an Open 50 is just the same as for the Open 60.
Credit for the 3D picture to Owen Clarke Design/Mike Golding Yacht Racing Website.
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