New IMOCA launched for Élodie Bonafous first of the class of 2028

The shiny new IMOCA is that of Élodie Bonafous, a promising Breton sailor from the Horizon 29 team. It is a sistership built from the moulds of MACIF Santé Prévoyance, the boat on which Charlie Dalin has just won this Vendée Globe in a new record time. The launch of the new boat is a clear sign of Bonafous’ growing ambition to be competitive in the next race, to measure herself against the best in the world.  Her potential became obvious on the Figaro Beneteau where she finished in the top 10 twice, finishing 6th in 2023 and 8th in 2024 and she is the first female skipper to finish on a stage podium in the modern history of the race. She trains at the Pôle Finistère Course au Large and was talent spotted by the Filière d’excellence Bretagne CMB. 

She is now surrounded by an experienced team and has a full four years ahead of her to maximise her preparation and training. 

An admiring look at the 2024 edition

Throughout this edition of the Vendée Globe she has passionately followed the progress of the skippers in the race. Her admiration for the level of performance achieved this year is obvious : “Honestly, I was completely blown away by the pace set at the head of the fleet, especially at the start of the race and during the descent of the South Atlantic. It was truly impressive and intense. The guys and girls showed that they had perfect control of their boats. No one gave up, and the level was incredibly high. That motivates me even more, because beyond the adventure, what I love is the competition. It’s down to the details and it’s exciting!” 

Bonfous watched the very close racing with interest and especially recognises the big step up in terms of the strength and competitiveness of the fleet. Dalin’s record of 64 days set by the winner marked a turning point in the history of the race, while the performance of Justine Mettraux, who finished 8th, confirms that women can shine at a very high level in this demanding discipline.

Ambition 

That her boat is the same as Dalin’s is both a source of confidence whilst being an ambitious challenge: "It's reassuring and a little intimidating at the same time, because it proves that this boat is an excellent tool for the job. We have a solid base, and now the challenge is to work well, be rigorous and do everything possible to fully exploit its potential." In having her new boat launched at four years before the start of the 2028 edition, Bonafous has  made a strategic choice: "This gives me time to learn, analyze each step and progress without being rushed. Rather than betting on a completely new generation boat, it seemed more important to have it as soon as possible to sail as much as possible and gain experience." 

This strategy will allow her to build her confidence, make her boat more reliable and achieve the best balance between control and performance. Her goal? 

Not just a race

The Vendée Globe is not just a race. It is an exceptional human epic, an ultimate challenge that combines courage, passion and innovation. Since its creation, this premier event of solo, non-stop and unassisted sailing has revealed new ocean racing heroes, forged legends and inspired generations. For Élodie Bonafous, as for so many others, this experience is much more than a race: it is a childhood dream that has become a life goal. By launching the first IMOCA of generation 2028, she is writing the first lines of a new chapter, with the ambition of measuring herself against the best on this legendary stage.