It sometimes took several people working together to get them on board. The weather buoys hoisted onto the IMOCA decks weigh 28 kilograms each. « A significant weight for an IMOCA, one giant leap for mankind, » joked Arnaud Boissières. Sébastien Peré from Météo-France explains their purpose: « These buoys measure atmospheric pressure, sea temperature and surface currents. They allow us to take the pulse of the planet, gain a precise understanding of ocean health, monitor changes in ocean currents and track the impacts of climate change. »
When Skippers Carry Weather Buoys to Sea
On Friday morning, Francesca Clapcich (11th Hour Racing), Arnaud Boissières (April Marine – seeking co-partner) and Manu Cousin (Coup de Pouce) loaded weather buoys onto their IMOCAs. The objective? To provide valuable data that will help improve weather forecasting and enhance scientific understanding of the oceans.
© Jean-Louis Carli - polaRYSE / Nefsea / SAEM Vendée
We have a role to play in helping scientists protect the seas and oceans that are our playground as sailors. You cannot sail across the world's oceans without being aware of and sensitive to the challenges they face. I would like to thank the skippers for fully embracing that responsibility.
Alain
Leboeuf
President of the Vendée Department
« Giving Greater Meaning to Our Commitment »
The buoys are equipped with a barometer capable of measuring atmospheric pressure, a type of data that satellites are unable to collect directly. They will be deployed by the skippers near Iceland, between 62°N and 66°N. “These are areas where observational data remains scarce, which is why deploying these buoys is so important to improve weather forecasts in those regions,” explains Sébastien Peré. The data collected will help scientists gain a better understanding of weather conditions in these remote waters.
Francesca Clapcich (11th Hour Racing), Arnaud Boissières (April Marine – seeking co-partner) and Manu Cousin (Coup de Pouce) are already familiar with carrying and deploying this type of scientific equipment during offshore races. « The buoy I deployed during the Vendée Globe is still operational, recalls the April Marine skipper. It continues to transmit data that is used to refine weather forecasting models. » Boissières believes that initiatives such as these « give greater meaning to our commitment to offshore racing. » Alain Leboeuf agrees: « We have a role to play in helping scientists preserve the seas and oceans that are the sailors’ playground. We cannot sail across the oceans without paying attention to the challenges they face and understanding their importance. I thank the skippers for being fully aware of that responsibility. »
© Jean-Louis Carli - polaRYSE / Nefsea / SAEM Vendée
Un sport où la mixité est possible | Vendée Globe 2026
