Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Vendée Globe, UNESCO and the IMOCA Class: when sport and science join forces to protect the ocean

by Vendée Globe media 16 Oct 2024 03:17 PDT 10 November 2024
Manuel Cousin, Groupe SETIN © Manuel Cousin / Groupe SETIN

Twenty five sailors who will take part in the Vendée Globe 2024, the biggest ever solo round-the-world race, racing non-stop and without assistance, will take scientific equipment provided by UNESCO and its scientific partners on board their IMOCA yachts to deploy during the race as they look to advance oceanographic research and weather forecasting models. These skippers will receive and be trained in the use of the instruments on October 22 and 23, in Les Sables d'Olonne.

Thanks to the innovative partnership between UNESCO, the Vendée Globe and the IMOCA Class, twenty-five solo skippers have volunteered to take weather-marine measuring instruments on board during the competition.

These skippers will enable the collection and distribution of essential data to scientists in real time looking to expand global knowledge of climate and the ocean, seeking to improve operational weather forecasting services, particularly in the less frequented areas of the globe such as from the Big South, the remote Southern Ocean.

Several types of instruments are being utilised such as surface buoys, weather stations, autonomous Argo subsurface profiling floats, educational buoys (Calitoo) and thermosalinographs.

The data collected during and after the race, as well as the buoys deployed, will feed the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) which is coordinated by UNESCO.

This scientific equipment is provided by a number of institutes sharing the same vision, stakeholders of GOOS: Ifremer, Météo France, UK MetOffice, CNES, GEOMAR, CLS, the TARA Fondation, ETH Zurich. The technical coordination of all these instruments and operations will be ensured by the UNESCO International Centre of Excellence for the Coordination and Monitoring of Meteorological and Oceanographic Observing Systems (OceanOPS).

In line with the environmental commitments made by the Vendée Globe to UNESCO, taking such scientific equipment will be made mandatory for all competitors in the rules of the race from the 2028 edition.

Provisional program

Tuesday, October 22
2 p.m. - 4 p.m., pontoons: Presentation of scientific instruments to the skippers, in the presence of partner scientists and researchers.
4:00-5:30 p.m., Race Village Media Centre: Media time Press briefing

Wednesday, October 23
9:00-10:00 a.m., Conference area: Skippers will familiarize themselves with the protocol to be followed and with the deployment zones previously identified for the use of these instruments.
2:15 p.m., Public Bar: Round table open to the public with representatives from the Vendée Globe, UNESCO, the IMOCA Class, Météo France, Ifremer, CNES and OceanOPS.

Alain Leboeuf, President of the Vendée Globe and the Vendée Department: "Last February, we presented our ten ambitious environmental commitments in partnership with UNESCO. It is important to us that this is now rolled out by real actions such as the embarkation of these measuring devices during the race thanks to the support of many partners. This is a strong gesture from these 25 skippers who are contributing to advancing scientific knowledge about our ocean and thus helping to protect it better."

Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO: "To protect the ocean better, we must also know it better. I salute the commitment of the Vendée Globe, the IMOCA Class and the skippers alongside UNESCO to advance oceanographic research by integrating these instruments on board their sailboats. This project illustrates the tremendous potential for cooperation between the worlds of sport and science."

Claire VAYER, co-responsible for sustainability, IMOCA Class: "It is a real achievement to see so many sailors involved in this collaborative project that the IMOCA Class has been proudly carrying out since 2018. After nearly five years of work with all the scientific partners, it is gratifying and encouraging to see how essential the contribution of sailors is to science today. As soon as the Vendée Globe project was announced, many sailors offered their contribution. A record number of scientific instruments will be on board, thus placing science at the heart of our sporting challenges. "

The 25 skippers who are taking on measuring instruments:

  • Denis Van Weynbergh (Weather Buoy)
  • Fabrice Amedeo (OceanPack + Argo Float)
  • Yoann Richomme (Argo Float + ARGOS Marget II)
  • Louis Duc (Weather Buoy)
  • Manu Cousin (Weather Buoy)
  • Louis Burton (Calitoo)
  • Jingkun Xu (Argo Float)
  • Oliver Heer (OceanPack + Argo Float)
  • Antoine Cornic (TSG Gaillard + Weather Buoy + Weather Station)
  • Tanguy Le Turquais (Weather Station)
  • Kojiro Shiraishi (Argo Float)
  • Sam Goodchild (Argo Float + Calitoo)
  • Sébastien Marsset (Weather Station + Argo Float)
  • Romain Attanasio (TSG Gaillard + Weather Buoy)
  • Boris Herrmann (OceanPack + Weather Buoy)
  • Guirec Soudée (Argo Float)
  • Maxime Sorel (Argo Float)
  • Szabi WEORES (Argo Float + Weather Station)
  • Arnaud Boissières (Weather Buoy + Calitoo)
  • Sam Davies (Calitoo)
  • Pip Hare (Calitoo)
  • Paul Meilhat (Planctoscope)
  • Nicolas Lunven (OceanPack)
  • Benjamin Dutreux (Weather Station)
  • Clarisse Crémer (Weather Buoy)

Schedule for distributing instruments on the afternoon of October 22:

In the presence of IFREMER, METEOFRANCE, CNES and OCEANOPS.

2:00 p.m.:
Denis Van Weynbergh (Weather Buoy)
Fabrice Amedeo (OceanPack + Argo Float)

2:15 p.m.:
Yoann Richomme (Argo Float + ARGOS Marget II)
Louis Duc (Weather Buoy)

2:30 p.m.:
Manu Cousin (Weather Buoy)
Louis Burton (Calitoo)
Jingkun Xu (Argo Float)

2:45 p.m.:
Oliver Heer (OceanPack + Argo Float)
Antoine Cornic (TSG Gaillard + Weather Buoy + Weather Station)

3:00 p.m.:
Kojiro Shiraishi (Argo Float)
Romain Attanasio (TSG Gaillard + Weather Buoy)

3:15 p.m.:
Boris Herrmann (OceanPack + Weather Buoy)
Guirec Soudée (Argo float)

3:30 p.m.:
Arnaud Boissières (Weather Buoy + Calitoo)

3:45 p.m.:
Sam Davies (Calitoo)
Clarisse Crémer (Weather Buoy)

3:50 p.m.:
Sam Goodchild (Argo float + Calitoo)

4 p.m.:
Maxime Sorel (Argo float)
Pip Hare (Calitoo)

4:15 p.m.:
Szabi Weores (Argo float + weather station)

Related Articles

Marine Auctions: Two Online Auctions in July
Also Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region Marine Auctions are proud to announce that Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region in South Australia. Jacob is a local Commerical Fisherman. Posted on 12 Jul
Antonini Navi presents the new project SUY110
Bringing cruising pleasure and the comfort of a high-tech resort to a 34m yacht Antonini Navi expands its Sport Utility Yacht range with the SUY 110, the second yacht in the series designed by Fulvio De Simoni. Posted on 11 Jul
Sirena 60 set for world debut at Cannes
Contemporary lines, originally conceived by Frers Naval Architecture, have been thoughtfully updated Sirena Yachts is preparing to launch the first hull of its new Sirena 60 model. This new yacht offers more space for lounging, improved storage, and a stunning modern aesthetic compared to its predecessor, the Sirena 58. Posted on 11 Jul
IMTRA introduces Zipwake PRO
The ultimate upgrade to Zipwake's award-winning Dynamic Trim Control System IMTRA, the leading manufacturer and importer of quality solutions and products for the marine, energy and transportation markets, announced today the introduction of the newest innovation in vessel pitch and roll control, Zipwake PRO. Posted on 10 Jul
Silent Yachts launch solar-electric SY80 catamaran
Ready for its world debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025 Silent Yachts has completed its most complex project to date. The Italian builder's first SY80 solar-electric catamaran has been launched and is preparing for its world debut at the upcoming Cannes Yachting Festival 2025 (9-14 September). Posted on 9 Jul
New Online BoatUS Foundation Course
Taking on Biggest Cause of Accidents: Distracted Boating A quick look at the annual U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating accident statistics shows “operator inattention” and “improper lookout” to be perennial placeholders in the top five primary contributing factors in boating accidents. Posted on 8 Jul
VISIONF Yachts unveils Superfast 46
A new speedboat with 80 knots max speed VISIONF Yachts, renowned for its cutting-edge luxury power catamarans, has revealed the latest jewel in its performance portfolio — the VISIONF Superfast 46, a 14-meter, high-speed masterpiece capable of reaching a staggering 80 knots. Posted on 7 Jul
Inside Maritimo Newsletter - Take a Virtual Tour
Experience the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative design that define Maritimo Take a moment to indulge in our immersive virtual tours, available through the form link below. Experience the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative design that define Maritimo, all from the comfort of your own home. Posted on 4 Jul
Baglietto launch first DOM115 Superyacht
A 35-meter masterpiece by Stefano Vafiadis with interiors by Baglietto design team The first unit of the DOM115, the entry-level model of the line designed by Stefano Vafiadis, was officially launched in recent days. Posted on 3 Jul
Grand Trawler 63
A new benchmark in elegant voyaging With the launch of the Grand Trawler 63, BENETEAU sets a new benchmark in long-distance luxury cruising. Posted on 3 Jul
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo S Series