“When you’re preparing for a Vendée Globe campaign, it’s not just about finding the fastest boat. You need a platform you can trust, something with the right balance of performance, reliability and development potential for the campaign ahead.” – Oliver Heer, Skipper
In the IMOCA class, design varies significantly within a fixed rule set. Each boat reflects the philosophy of its designers and the decisions of the teams that have developed it over time.
For Oliver Heer Ocean Racing, the priority for a second Vendée Globe campaign was to secure a pre-owned foiling IMOCA with a clear development history and the right technical foundation.
Selection process
During 2025, Oliver Heer and his technical team assessed a range of available boats. Each offered a different mix of performance, cost, condition and prior use.
The final decision was based on overall suitability for the campaign, rather than any single performance metric. One boat stood out for its balance of capability, reliability and development potential.
Originally launched in 2018 as Charal, the boat has been managed by Team Beyou Racing since new. This continuity provides a well-documented history of how the boat has been maintained, modified and raced. In a class where boats are regularly pushed to their limits, that level of consistency is a significant advantage.
Development and design
Designed by VPLP, the boat is part of the first generation of IMOCA designed specifically for foiling. Its hull form and internal structure were developed to manage the loads and dynamics associated with sustained foiling, rather than being adapted from earlier displacement designs.
Since launch, the platform has undergone continuous refinement. Structural updates and system improvements have been introduced over multiple campaigns.
One example is the evolution of the bow profile. The modified shape is designed to improve how the boat moves through waves, helping to maintain speed and reduce deceleration over time.
The design approach is based on versatility. Rather than being optimised for a narrow set of conditions, the boat is intended to perform consistently across a wide range of scenarios. This is a key requirement for the Vendée Globe, where conditions vary significantly over the course of the race.
Proven performance
The boat has completed two circumnavigations, including an 8th place finish in the 2024 Vendée Globe under Justine Mettraux.
This provides a clear benchmark for performance and a strong starting point for further development. A planned handover period with Mettraux will support knowledge transfer as the campaign progresses.
Refit and preparation
The boat is currently undergoing a full refit with Team Beyou Racing.
This involves a complete strip down, inspection and servicing of all major systems. The objective is to ensure reliability and readiness for offshore racing, rather than to introduce major design changes at this stage.
Each component is assessed, with systems recalibrated where required. This process establishes a known baseline before the boat returns to the water.
The hull will also be refinished in Oliver Heer Ocean Racing colours ahead of its first sail under the new campaign.
Next phase
Selecting this IMOCA was based on a combination of performance, reliability and development potential, supported by a well-understood history.
With the refit underway, the focus is now on preparation and execution as the campaign moves into its next phase.
