The IMOCA Boat
First built in 1986, IMOCA 60 race boats are today some of the fastest racing monohulls in the world. Over the years, the IMOCA fleet has experienced significant development and modification in a bid to make the boats faster, lighter and yet more reliable.
These developments have included the introduction of canting keels, which increase the righting moment; the addition of advanced computer systems, which offer accurate weather forecasts and enhanced communications capabilities; and the implementation of autopilots, vital systems for skippers sailing solo around the world today.
Hulls, sails and cockpits have also evolved significantly since the first Open 60s (‘IMOCA 60s’) were created, with the boats becoming wider at the stern and cockpits offering improved protection for skippers battling harsh conditions at sea.
Explore the HUGO BOSS boats below.
The boat is made entirely of carbon fibre, an incredibly lightweight yet durable material, capable of withstanding the brutal conditions of round-the-world yacht racing.
The boat features hydrofoils – something never before seen on a HUGO BOSS boat – designed to reduce drag and optimize speed.
The honeycomb patterned deck, meanwhile - devised by world-renowned industrial designer Konstantin Grcic - is built from light, strong Nomex, while clean carbon surfaces optimize strength and weight.
The yacht features a one-design mast and keel, as specified by the latest rules of the IMOCA class, and was first raced in October 2015 in the 5,000nm Transat Jacques-Vabre race.
Designed by VPLP/Verdier alongside Alex Thomson Racing, the current HUGO BOSS racing yacht was launched in September 2015. Custom-made for skipper Thomson, this was the second boat ever to be built by the Alex Thomson Racing team.
Designed and built to be as light as possible - in order to optimize speed – HUGO BOSS was also constructed with reliability in mind.
HUGO BOSS is the first entirely black sailing yacht in the world, a feature made possible by functional pigments with heat-reflecting properties within the paint. The boat mirrors the core BOSS brand values – innovation, craftsmanship, precision and perfection.
(2015-present)
Previously Virbac-Paprec, this VPLP/Verdier designed IMOCA 60 boat finished 4th in the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe with French skipper Jean-Pierre Dick at the helm.
In 2014, the boat was acquired by Alex Thomson Racing and, as HUGO BOSS, she went on to win the 2014 Ocean Masters Race from New York to Barcelona. Thomson, along with co-skipper Pepe Ribes – later competed onboard HUGO BOSS in the 2014-2015 Barcelona World Race.
After leading the fleet and breaking two race records, the pair were forced to retire from the race after dismasting in the South Atlantic Ocean.
2014 - 2015
In 2011, ahead of the Transat Jacques Vabre, Alex Thomson Racing bought this Farr designed IMOCA 60.
Thomson and co-skipper Guillermo Altadill finished the race in 2nd place. The following year, Thomson broke the west to east Transat record and finished third in the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe race after 80 days at sea. In 2013, Thomson raced the boat to a third-place finish in the Rolex Fastnet Race.
The following year Alex Thomson Racing, alongside partner HUGO BOSS, released The Mastwalk, a stunt which saw Alex climb the mast of the boat and dive off into the ocean below.
2011 - 2014
This Juan K designed ex-Pindar IMOCA 60 boat was christened HUGO BOSS in 2010, and finished 7th in the Barcelona World Race with skippers Andy Meiklejohn and Wouter Verbraak.
She finished 2nd in class in the 2011 Sydney Hobart and went on to complete an extensive tour of Asia, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, USA and Canada with Title Partner HUGO BOSS.
2010-2013
The Finot designed HUGO BOSS was the first yacht built specifically for skipper Thomson who, on it, raced to a 2nd place finish in the 2007-08 Barcelona World Race alongside co-skipper Andrew Cape.
In 2007, Thomson broke the world monohull distance record, sailing 501 miles in 24 hours. This was also the boat on which Thomson performed his legendary #Keelwalk, the first in a trilogy of stunts, which have now been watched by millions around the world.
2007-2010
