Le Défi Azimut

Le Défi Azimut (French for "The Azimut challenge") is a yacht race open only to the IMOCA 60 class. The yearly race, first held in 2011, contains typically three different competitions starting in Lorient, France. The main event, a 48-hour offshore race in the Bay of Biscay is accompanied by the short Tour de Groix and a competition of speed runs over one nautical mile.

Races The competitions are held in solo or double-handed configurations alternating between the modes even and uneven years. In 2022 the competitions were also open for a crewed version, in preparation for the 2023 The Ocean Race. The Runs competition is always raced in a crewed configuration.

Race directors is Hubert Lemonnier. In 2023 onboard reporters were required in the races.

Azimut race Until 2018, the main event was a 24h race over approximately 200 to 250 nautical miles in length. Since 2019, the 48 hour race (approximately 500 to 550 nautical miles), takes the competitors onto the Bay of Biscay.

Tour de Groix The Tour de Groix is a small race rounding the island Groix a few kilometres off the coast of Lorient. Depending on weather conditions the race takes about two hours for the usually fully crewed boats.

Runs competition In the Runs competition the fully crewed boats compete in several rounds against each other on a one nautical mile long course.

Winners

Azimut race +YearFirstSecondThirdWinning timeWinning yachtRef.201121h 33mPRB 42012Virbac-Paprec 3201320h 36mMacif2014Maître CoQ2015PRB 42016Banque Populaire2017SMA201818h 39m 25sPRB 420191d 18h 43m 46sCharal20201d 20h 56m 59sCharal20211d 15h 48m 02sApivia2022 crew1d 18h 56m 58s11th Hour 2022 solo1d 15h 42m 50sApivia20231d 17h 46 m 43sCharal 2

Tour de Groix Only skippers, the Tour de Groix is held in a crewed setup. YearFirstSecondThirdWinning timeWinning yachtRef.2012Macif2013Jörg Riechers2h 38mSafran2014Safran20151h 08m 10sPRB 420161h 32m 41sSMA20171h 34mSMA201820191h 08m 24sCharal20202h 29m 47sPRB 420211h 52m 37sLinked Out20221h 57m 21sMonnoyeur – Duo for a Job2023no Tour de Groix due to rescheduling of the main event due to a storm

Runs competition Only skippers, the Runs are held in a crewed setup. YearFirstSecondThirdWinning timeWinning yachtRef.20134m 40sMacif20146m 56sMaître CoQ20154m 59sSMA2016Safran201720184m 52sCharal2019Charal20203m 5sL'Occitane en provence20216m 53s11th Hour 20222m 43sApivia20232m 40sPaprec Arkea

Ultim spinoff In 2014 the Défi Azimut added a race for Ultim class offshore trimarans. Sébastien Josse won ahead of Sidney Gavignet, Yann Eliès and Loïck Peyron.

The event returned in 2021 with three participants. Armel Le Cléac'h won ahead of Thomas Coville and Yves Le Blevec.

Le Défi Azimut

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