With the IMOCA GLOBE SERIES due to resume on 8 May with the start of the Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race in Brest, Virtual Regatta is launching the world’s first Virtual Championship dedicated to offshore racing and IMOCA boats in particular: the IMOCA VIRTUAL SERIES by CORUM L’Épargne. This series of virtual events will enable players to do battle in the same races as the real skippers. Good news: the global leader of e-Sailing also plans to create around ten virtual races before the Vendée Globe 2024. The perfect opportunity for the IMOCAs to crown one real Champion and one virtual Champion every year!
Two universes, one shared history and the same amplification. IMOCA and Virtual Regatta, whose destinies are closely entwined, have reaped the benefits of the incredibly popular appeal of the last Vendée Globe. Indeed, some twelve years since its creation, Virtual Regatta amassed over 1,100,000 players during the round the world race. With regards the IMOCA teams and the various partners involved, never before have there been such generous audiences and coverage!
“We’re delighted to be working with IMOCA and CORUM L’Épargne in the creation of the IMOCA VIRTUAL SERIES. To be able to continue breaking new ground and offering our community a challenge of this scale, which is so similar to those of the IMOCA skippers, is testament to the passion that drives us on a daily basis, as well as the very strong links that bind the real and the virtual sailing world. My thanks to IMOCA and CORUM L’Épargne for their trust and for this quite unique collaboration,” says Philippe Guigné, founder of Virtual Regatta.
The IMOCA GLOBE SERIES, the epic oceanic serial
Inaugurated in 2018, the IMOCA GLOBE SERIES stems from a desire on the part of the skippers and race organisers to create an increasingly strong link between the different events. To add to the growing appeal of the famous 60-foot monohull Class, this Championship now groups together the major offshore races, with more and more events focused solely on IMOCA.
By fleshing out the event schedule – four races on the 2022 programme, and 18 in all between 2021 and 2024 –, the IMOCA GLOBE SERIES enables the teams to improve their reliability and performance, whilst competing together on a more frequent basis. Meantime, the public also get treated to an epic serial they can avidly follow from one Vendée Globe to the next! At the end of each season, the IMOCA champion title is awarded to the skipper who has posted the year’s most consistent performance.
The IMOCA VIRTUAL SERIES, the same emotions in virtual format
In conjunction with this unique circuit, Virtual Regatta is breaking new ground by offering the IMOCA VIRTUAL SERIES, the first virtual Championship of this type. In addition to the real events available in a virtual format, Virtual Regatta will complement the programme with around ten 100% virtual races specially created for the occasion.
Like a real skipper, every virtual skipper will amass points throughout the season in their bid for the annual title. It’s also a way of reinforcing the link with IMOCA as those who perform best will win prizes, including the opportunity for the champion to sail aboard a real-life IMOCA: CORUM L’Épargne, skippered by Nicolas Troussel.
About Virtual Regatta
Since its creation in 2006, the Virtual Regatta games have proven to be a real hit. They enable one and all to compete against racers from the physical world, as well as enthusiasts the world over. Virtual Regatta is currently the exclusive partner of World Sailing, co-organiser of the ‘eSailing World Championship’ and the ‘Nations Cup’ on Virtual Regatta Inshore. Virtual Regatta is also the sole official game for all the world’s most prestigious races, including the Vendée Globe. The game is free of charge and available to play on computers, smartphones and tablets. Boasting a community of over 1-million active players, Virtual Regatta is the biggest nautical community in the world!