Race1 IMOCA 60

IMOCA "D'Ieteren Group" (formerly Spirit of Hungary) — IMOCA 60 by Denis Van Weynbergh

History & Achievements

• Design & construction

  • Designed by Nándor Fa and Attila Déry, complying with the new IMOCA gauge post-2012

  • Built in carbon by Pauger Carbon (Hungary), launched on April 7, 2014 in Trieste

  • Length: 18.28 m | Width: 5.65 m | Draft: 4.5 m | Mast: 29 m

• Track record & performances

  • Spirit of Hungary (2014-2017), skippered by Nándor Fa:

    • 8th in the Vendée Globe 2016-17 in 93 days 22 hours 52 minutes 09 seconds

    • 2nd in the Barcelona World Race 2014

  • Eyesea.BE (2019), skipper Denis Van Weynbergh:

    • Participation in the Bermuda 1000, 2nd in the Fastnet Race

  • Laboratoires de Biarritz (2021-2022), Van Weynbergh:

    • 3rd in the Transat Jacques-Vabre 2021 in double-handed with Tanguy Le Turquais

    • Participation in Bermuda 1000 2022

  • D'Ieteren Group (since 2023):

    • 2023: participation in the Fastnet Race, Défi Azimut, Transat Jacques-Vabre & Return to Base

    • 2024: The Transat & New York-Vendée-Les Sables

    • 2024-2025: Vendée Globe (arrival in Les Sables d'Olonne on March 8, 2025, after 117 days, first Belgian to complete the race but outside the time limit)

Denis Van Weynbergh – Amateur skipper turned pro

• Former Belgian entrepreneur, became a club skipper since 2018, with a record budget among the most modest (~€1.6M) to complete the Vendée Globe

• Collaborative project based on short circuits with a 100% volunteer team

• Goal: maximum reliability — hence the absence of foils, robustness in extreme conditions

Condition & technical developments

• Pure original lines, without foils: a 4x4 of the seas, robust and reliable

• Recent optimizations: electronics, wiring, extended/elevated canopy for more comfort, without touching the structure

Debuts & owners

1. 2014–2017: Nándor Fa – "Spirit of Hungary"

2. 2018: purchase of the boat

3. 2019: renamed "Eyesea.BE"

4. 2021–2022: "Laboratoires de Biarritz"

5. Since 2023: "D'Ieteren Group" with Belgian sponsor

Projects & future potential

• Ideal as a return race boat: Transat, Fastnet, Défi Azimut, Return to Base, IRC regatta...

• Adaptable as a training/club platform: its robustness and history make it an excellent educational choice.

• Possibility of upgrading to foils to evolve towards the latest racing circuit.

• Excellent support for aspiring Vendée Globe or solo/two-handed ocean races while being accompanied.

Why this boat is an asset for an ambitious buyer

• Proven: already a Vendée Globe (2016, 2024), solid in solo

• Rich history: several sailors, numerous regattas

• Controlled budget: absence of foils limits maintenance costs

• Potential: ready to resume competition or evolve

• Builder: Pauger Carbon (Hungary)

• Architects: Nándor Fa & Attila Déry

• Year launched: April 7, 2014

• Class: IMOCA 60, straight keels, classic carbon mast

• Maintenance: regular refits since 2023, electronics and canopy reviewed

This IMOCA is a powerful blend of history, robustness, and performance. Ideal for an offshore racing enthusiast looking for a solid, experienced project ready to return to the sea.