DMG MORI Sailing Team builds new IMOCA race boat
by DMG MORI Sailing Team 30 Sep 00:36 PDT
DMG MORI Sailing Team in Newport, USA © DMG MORI Sailing Team / Qaptur
The DMG MORI Sailing Team is announcing a new build of an IMOCA 60 with the aim of participating in the The Ocean Race 2027 and the Vendeé Globe 2028. A boat that will be designed to be performant and sturdy to endure the harshest oceans conditions.
Setting sails for the future: the DMG MORI Sailing Team is building a new IMOCA racing boat. Together with experienced partners, the project started in July 2024. Naval architect Guillaume Verdier, who has more than 20 years' experience in the world of competitive sailing, is in charge of the concept and design. Multiplast, a reliable and long-standing partner of the team, constructs the racing boat using high performance composite materials.
Currently preparing for the Vendée Globe 2024, the team is already focusing on the future. As well as competing as a single-handed boat in races such as the Vendée Globe 2028, the new boat design will be adaptable for crewed racing to compete in The Ocean Race 2027. The design will incorporate the latest developments in aerodynamics and hydrodynamics. It will achieve optimum performance through the use of carbon fibre and other lightweight, high-strength materials. This state-of-the-art boat will be equipped with foils and other innovative systems to ensure performance and reliability.
"We are delighted to announce the construction of the new boat," says Irene Bader, Managing Director of the DMG MORI Sailing Team and member of the DMG MORI Board. "With this step we are not only embracing the latest technology, but also the experience and expertise of the entire team. The boat should be strong and embody innovation and team spirit".
"This is the first time we have planned a boat like this from the ground up, taking into account the latest requirements in boat building. It is a challenge, but we are looking forward to achieving it with this unique and diverse team. It is a great opportunity to learn from each other and to show our Global One spirit", says DMG MORI Skipper Kojiro Shiraishi.
The launch of the new IMOCA race boat is planned for early 2026. The DMG MORI Sailing Team thus confirms the long-term and future-orientated focus of the project.
Next chapter: The Ocean Race By participating in The Ocean Race 2027, the world's most famous crewed race, the team is embarking on its next chapter in offshore sailing. With strong Japanese and French roots and further nationalities among the team members, cultural diversity is a key theme that the team wants to live and showcase during The Ocean Race. Beyond the international line-up of the team, intergenerational exchange and dialogue is another aspect the team will focus on. Experienced sailors will compete in The Ocean Race alongside young talents of the team. The DMG MORI Sailing Academy has been set up to empower young talent to work in offshore sailing and to develop their skills by gaining racing experience in the Classe Mini 6.50 and, as of this year, also in Figaro Beneteau.
About the DMG MORI Sailing Team
Established in 2018, the DMG MORI Sailing Team is a professional offshore racing team based in Lorient, France. The Japanese Skipper Kojiro Shiraishi and the crew successfully mastered the Vendée Globe 2020, which is considered to be the toughest race in the world. With the DMG MORI Sailing Academy, founded in 2022, young talents are empowered to work in offshore sailing and to grow their skills by being part of the DMG MORI Sailing Team.
About DMG MORI
DMG MORI is a leading global manufacturer of high-precision machine tools and is represented in 43 countries - with 116 sales and service locations, including 17 production plants. In the "Global One Company", more than 13,000 employees are driving the development of holistic solutions in the manufacturing industry. Our portfolio covers sustainable manufacturing solutions based on the technologies Turning, Milling, Grinding, Boring as well as Ultrasonic, Lasertec and Additive Manufacturing. With technology integration, end-to-end automation and digitization solutions we make it possible to increase productivity and resource efficiency at the same time.