Vendée Globe

As the Imoca class continues to show impressive growth, with more than 30 competitive events for professionals planned for 2008, the International class association run by skippers has just gone a step further in its development.
Grégoire Metz has just been named executive director of IMOCA, and will be taking up his post on 2nd April. Aided by Isabelle Jacquet, the Class secretary, this full time team will have the task of improving on the professionalism and efficiency of the IMOCA class executive committee.

Grégoire Metz, originally from Belgium, speaks fluent French and English, but also Flemish and Spanish – an essential asset considering the increasing globalisation of the Class. After training as a naval engineer, he acquired a lot of experience and built himself a reputation in the professional world of offshore racing and the international marine industry, where he has been operating since the nineties. In particular he worked for the Spinlock Group, before co-ordinating the ORMA project for the Belgacom Sailing Team. Assistant race director for the Vendée Globe 2004/05, he has since been in charge of managing Vincent Riou’s new IMOCA PRB project.

Grégoire Metz will be playing a vital role in the development of the class, its external relations and the advantages that will be offered to its members. He will report directly to the elected members of the executive committee, all drawn from IMOCA projects.

A new challenge...

“It’s going to be a huge challenge, commented Grégoire Metz, and a fine adventure with a class that is expanding rapidly on an international level. The coming years will offer us many opportunities to develop a very strong circuit, offering both wonderful sporting events and potentially increasing attention from the media. I can’t wait to use my skills to further this project."

“The IMOCA executive committee had been looking for a solution for a while, added Luc Talbourdet, the IMOCA class elected chairman, to allow us to improve our service and professionalism concerning our race projects. The arrival of Grégoire Metz will most certainly be well received, both internally and externally. The IMOCA world championships are now the reference event for ocean racing, and this new appointment will ensure its long term future.”

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