As preparations continue for the inaugural The Ocean Race Atlantic 2026, the latest generation of IMOCA yachts is beginning to emerge, each bringing its own approach to offshore performance ahead of the transatlantic challenge.
Continuing our Road to The Ocean Race Atlantic 2026 series, we turn our attention to DMG MORI GLOBAL ONE, the Japanese campaign that unveiled its new IMOCA in June before beginning its commissioning programme in Lorient, France.
Designed by renowned French naval architect Guillaume Verdier, DMG MORI GLOBAL ONE has attracted attention across the offshore sailing community for introducing a markedly different design philosophy to the IMOCA class. While many recent IMOCA designs feature U-shaped hulls intended to reduce wetted surface as the boat heels, Verdier’s latest creation has been developed around a concept designed to sail with a significantly lower angle of heel.
One of the yacht’s defining features is a pronounced central bustle running along the hull’s centreline—a characteristic more commonly associated with the AC75 foiling monohulls used in the America’s Cup than with IMOCA yachts. According to Verdier, the concept enables the yacht to displace much of its volume on the central bustle while sailing at an expected heel angle of around eight to nine degrees.
Speaking following the unveiling, Verdier explained the thinking behind the project.
“Most IMOCA designs are U-shaped. This is so that when they heel over the hull’s wetted surface is reduced. We decided to go to the other side of the line and create a boat that is designed to mostly stay upright.
Verdier added that the new underwater profile could reduce the wetted area by approximately 20 square metres compared with more conventional configurations, while also contributing to a smoother ride as the yacht skims across the water.
For DMG MORI Sailing Team manager Jacques Caraës, the project represents another step in the evolution of IMOCA design.
“Everybody has been waiting to see this boat,” Caraës said. “We think it will be very stable and we are hoping that will mean it flies a little earlier too. We will have to wait a little while to find out.”
Following its launch, DMG MORI GLOBAL ONE entered the commissioning phase, with the team carrying out sea trials and validating onboard systems ahead of its first major offshore tests. The programme is focused on preparing the yacht for the inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Atlantic, with reliability, performance and familiarisation forming the team’s immediate priorities.
As the countdown to September continues, DMG MORI GLOBAL ONE stands out as one of the newest additions to the IMOCA fleet, introducing a distinctive approach to hull design while beginning the next chapter of the DMG MORI Sailing Team’s offshore racing campaign.
Stay with Nowaitlist Magazine as our Road to The Ocean Race Atlantic 2026 series continues, highlighting the IMOCA campaigns, technical innovations and stories shaping the fleet ahead of the race across the Atlantic.
