Zodiac, back in the Vendée Globe for the 10th edition
by Vendee Globe 26 Oct 2023 08:59 PDT
Zodiac, back in the Vendée Globe for the 10th edition © Franck Perry / AFP / DDPI
A pioneer in RIBs with 125 years' experience, Zodiac has been providing the RIB fleets of sailing event organisers for many years.
For 2024, the brand is renewing its ties with the greatest of ocean races by becoming an official partner of the Vendée Globe. The 40 skippers, escorted by a safety fleet of 42 Zodiac RIBs, will set off across the seas of the globe.
True ocean adventurers, Zodiac RIBs have the reputation of being extremely resistant and reliable, thanks to materials and manufacturing processes that are always at the cutting edge of technology. A very low centre of gravity, a deep V hull and very seaworthy floats give these boats exceptional speed and crossing capacity in rough seas. These are essential features to ensure the best possible safety on the water at the start of the next Vendée Globe, where 40 solo skippers will be at the helm of their IMOCA boats, a record number for this unique race. This security system will also be available to the organisers to welcome the winner of this 10th edition and all the other competitors to the finish line and as they make their way up the legendary channel in Les Sables d'Olonne.
42 Zodiac limited edition
The famous brand has announced an official partnership agreement with the organisers. It will produce 42 limited editions custom-built RIBs in the colours of the legendary non-stop, non-assisted, single-handed round the world race. They will then be available for sale.
Alain Leboeuf, President of the Vendée Globe and President of the Vendée Department: "For us organisers, ensuring the safety of the skippers remains our main concern. With the support of our partner Zodiac, we are in no doubt as to the safety of our race area."
François Fauroux, CEO of Zodiac Nautic: "We are delighted and proud to be returning to the Vendée Globe, aware of the history we have with this wonderful race. This comeback is a sign of our desire to build a strong long-term partnership with this major event. The values shared by the participants are in line with those we share with our teams: Audacity, Agility, Commitment.
This cooperation allows us to build strong internal federations, but also to prove the performance of our RIBs in real-life situations.
As the leaderand benchmark for RIBs around the world, we're also delighted to be able to share this moment with all our international partners.
Ourday-to-day mission of "Enabling everyone to experience unforgettable adventures on the water", which has driven us for 90 years, can only be better expressed through the Vendée Globe."