In Paris, the members and skippers of the class association came together to agree on the new rules by 2021, which should continue to attract large numbers of the most successful offshore class. One of the most important changes in the technical regulations concerns the revolutionary foils with which the first three of the last Vendée Globe were equipped. In the future, they will even be adjustable, i.e. the skippers can operate the angle of attack or trim devices depending on the course, wind strength and speed, which can control the effect of the long attachments even more precisely. So far, they could only influence the use of the foils by gradually extending or retracting them - so movements around the axes or trim tabs are now also conceivable. The exact wording of the new rules is not yet available.
The class committee around President Antoine Mermod and the skippers Alex Thomson, Tanguy De Lamotte, Conrad Coleman and Paul Meilhat agreed on this beforehand. Further changes concern the sails, in the future their permitted number is to be reduced by one to eight in order to reduce costs. Furthermore, minor adjustments are planned in the security area, which were not explained in more detail. The standard mast and keel introduced in the last rule change were rated as a success. None of the six ships that were equipped with them had problems with these components.
At the same time, the new regatta calendar for the Imoca class was announced, which above all contains a surprising innovation: The two-handed BarcelonWorld Race will no longer be a non-stop event in future - the organizers are building a stop in Sydney for the next edition a. A surprising decision, as the race also lived from its reputation as the "two-handed Vendee". It was possible to stop for technical reasons in recent years, but it was punished with a time penalty and in fact cost the chances of victory if the other top boats got through without interruption. So now two stages. So far, it has not been announced whether the time sailed or points will determine the victory. The next BarcelonWorld Race starts in January 2019.