The team announced on Tuesday that French sailing legend Charlie Dalin would miss the entire racing season of 2025 due to health issues. British skipper Sam Goodchild will take over the helm at the IMOCA MACIF Sante Prevoyance Yacht.

Despite this year's Vendee Globe champion being absent, the team announced on Tuesday they would continue to race their full schedule. Goodchild and her co-skipper Lois Berrehar will compete in all scheduled events of the IMOCA Globe Series.

Dalin said that he made the decision because of his health. Last month, he said he was determined to defend his series title.

"I am obviously disappointed that I won't be able sail this season but I have full confidence in Sam and Lois who will fly the MACIF Sante Prevoyance Flag high."

Dalin will continue to be involved in project management while his team competes at three major races, including the Course des Caps, which starts this Sunday, Defi Azimut, in September, as well as the Transat Café L'Or, in October.

Goodchild, the winner of the 2023 IMOCA Globe Series Championship acknowledged the responsibility associated with his new role. He said, "It is an honour to be the IMOCA MACIF Sante Prevoyance's new leader." "Lois, and I, will dedicate all our energies to live up to the collective aspirations of this project," he said.

Berrehar's 31-year-old experience is a valuable asset to the role of coskipper. The French sailor, who won the Transat Paprec 2023, finished second with two stage wins in last year’s Solitaire du Figaro. Dalin had named him as his replacement for the Vendee Globe.

Berrehar stated, "When Charlie asked me to join the project, I saw it as an enormous vote of confidence." "We will do everything possible to achieve victory."

Charlotte Yven and Guillaume Combescure will join Goodchild and Berrehar for the upcoming Course des Caps. They will travel 2,000 miles around the British Isles.

MACIF requested that no further questions be asked about Dalin's current health condition and stated that no further statements will be made.

The IMOCA racing championship is a premier offshore sailing series featuring 60-foot monohulls called IMOCAs. These yachts are designed to be sailed solo or by small crews. The series is governed by the International Monohull Open Class Association and includes legendary transoceanic racing such as the Vendee Globe.

The IMOCA series is a showcase of the latest maritime technology and a proving grounds for ocean racers around the world. These boats are often equipped with hydrofoils and built for speed and endurance. (Editing by Toby Davis).

(source: Reuters)