VPLP and Verdier have gone their separate ways. Juan Kouyoumdjian is back on the scene for the Vendee Globe 2020. Finot-Conq are in action. The new generation of foilers appears to be opening up the choice of designers. And, as usual, everyone is playing their cards close to their chests, all waiting to see what each other will produce.
Nothing has emerged yet. The first design salvo, any early indication of what we might see as the newest innovations and ideas for Vendee Globe 2020, has yet to be seen. The naval architecture studios have been hard at work for more than a year now, for some, shorter periods for others. But no one really knows what to expect when the first Generation 2020 boats finally emerge from the sheds ready for launching. Previously there might have been an informed guess, a smart deduction, but as the number of designers increases again, even if they are all bound by the IMOCA rule, it will be fascinating to see the new generation of foilers.

This year, 2018, sees the 50th annniversary of the Golden Globe, the very first ever solo race around the world non stop. The epic race resulted in the historic victory for British icon Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. It uncovered a French hero in Bernard Moitessier. And the success of the race contributed significantly to the inspiration for the Vendee Globe some 11 years later.

Japanese solo racer Kojiro Shiraishi may have had to retire from the last Vendée Globe when the top of the mast of his Spirit of Yukoh came down on December 4th, arriving into Cape Town after 350 nautical miles under reduced sail on December 7^th. But his story and his warm, always-smiling personality made Kojiro one of the outstanding, enduring personalities of the race.  Interview.

Mid-March and spring is on its way and the IMOCA projects which are on course are making progress. For the french teams, in general, that pace of development is proportional to budgets and the investment of their various sponsors.