The Importance of Small Details

What does it really take to perform in one of the most demanding environments in sport?

Last week, we welcomed our technical partner, Bossard Group, for a discovery visit to our IMOCA. Two of Bossard’s senior technical team joined us with a simple goal; to see first-hand what a 60ft carbon composite offshore racing machine looks like, and understand the technical demands and challenges of sailing around the world, because the demands of offshore racing can’t be fully understood by looking at drawings alone.

From the outside, an IMOCA is an impressive piece of design. But step onboard, and the complexity quickly reveals itself. Every system, every surface, every component is working under constant load, exposed to extreme conditions and expected to perform without compromise — often for weeks at a time, with no opportunity for outside assistance.

Together with Ollie, Pete and Lincoln from the Oliver Heer technical team, the group explored the key areas of the boat, reviewing structural elements and onboard systems, discussing where fastenings and small components play a critical role.

In this environment, there is no such thing as a “minor detail”. Components must withstand continuous stress, resist corrosion, and deliver absolute reliability — because when you’re alone at sea, failure is not an option.

“Access to the technical areas is actually much easier whilst the boat is on 1000 pieces in the boat yard. Even the smallest screw can have a huge impact on our performance, so technical reliability is vital and we operate in one of the harshest environments. This is where the expertise of the Bossard Group will be invaluable.” – Oliver Heer

Experiencing the boat in person brings a different level of understanding.

Rather than working from specifications alone, this visit allowed the Bossard experts to see the confined spaces, the composite structures, and get a sense of the forces at play. That context matters. It’s what enables better decisions, smarter recommendations, and ultimately stronger performance over time.

“This visit has meant we can see the disassembled product and find the pain points where we can improve the quality and reliability.” – Frank Heinrich-Krell, Bossard Group VP R&D Fastening Technology

But the visit wasn’t only about the technical side.

It was also an opportunity to build the relationship between our teams. A Vendée Globe campaign is a long-term endeavour, and success depends on the strength of the partnerships behind it. Taking the time to share knowledge, ask questions, and understand each other’s worlds is a key part of that process.

“We have a lot of experience of working in technical environments including composite materials, but offshore yacht racing is a very different industry for us! We have listened and learned a lot from this visit and have identified several areas where we can explore solutions together.” – Florian Heuter, Bossard Group VP Products & Engineering

Embrace The Challenge isn’t just about racing around the world. It’s about how we approach everything around it — including how we work with partners to solve complex problems and keep moving forward.

Now that Bossard have seen the environment first-hand, the focus turns to what comes next: applying their expertise to help optimise performance, improve reliability, and ensure every component on board is fit for purpose.

Because performance is by design. And it all starts now.

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