Sam Goodchild (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) won the 48 Hours of the Défi Azimut. This marks another victory for him, following the 1,000 Race in May, confirming his consistency and technical mastery. Behind him, Italian sailor Ambrogio Beccaria took second place, ahead of Jérémie Beyou.
The 2026 IMOCA Globe Series season marked a turning point: for the first time in years, French skippers no longer dominate unchallenged. Two names—those of the Franco-British Sam Goodchild and the Italian Ambrogio Beccaria—have established themselves as the major figures of the year, racking up victories and remarkable performances. Their already legendary duel has reshaped the hierarchy of the offshore racing’s premier class.
Key Takeaways
- Sam Goodchild (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) won the 48 Hours of the Défi Azimut and the 1,000 Race in May 2026, confirming his consistency and technical mastery.
- Ambrogio Beccaria (Allagrande MAPEI) secured the first Italian victory in IMOCA by winning the Vendée Arctique in June 2026, ahead of Goodchild, after a spectacular comeback in the final hours of the race.
- The two skippers engaged in a close duel across multiple races, with often minimal gaps and twists until the finish line.
- 2026 Ranking: Goodchild leads the IMOCA Globe Series, with Beccaria in 3rd place.
Notable Victories of the 2026 Season
2026 Victories and Podiums
| Race | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Date | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 Race | Sam Goodchild | – | – | May 2026 | Goodchild’s first major victory of the season. |
| Vendée Arctique | Ambrogio Beccaria | Sam Goodchild | Violette Dorange | June 16, 2026 | Beccaria claims his 1st IMOCA victory after a historic comeback. |
| Runs Azimut | Sam Goodchild | – | – | September 2026 | Goodchild sets a record with an average speed of 32.1 knots over one nautical mile. |
| 48 Hours of the Défi Azimut | Sam Goodchild | Ambrogio Beccaria | Jérémie Beyou | September 19, 2026 | Goodchild wins with over 30 nautical miles ahead, after a tight duel with Beccaria. |
The Goodchild vs. Beccaria Duel: A Rivalry Making History
Sam Goodchild: Consistency and Pure Speed
- Style: Goodchild sets a high pace from the start, with technical mastery and consistent speed, particularly upwind and downwind.
- Strengths:
- Strong start: He led the 48 Hours of the Défi Azimut from beginning to end, including a risky maneuver behind a cargo ship in the first few minutes, followed by a decisive acceleration upwind.
- Optimized boat: MACIF Santé Prévoyance, the former boat of Charlie Dalin (winner of the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe), is the fastest in the fleet in light winds, according to Beccaria himself.
- Strategy: He focuses on pure performance, making few mistakes, but was caught in a windless zone during the Vendée Arctique, allowing Beccaria to overtake him at the last moment.
- Quotes: “To beat Ambrogio, you have to be in top form and make no mistakes. He brings insane intensity and never lets up.” — Sam Goodchild
Ambrogio Beccaria: The Comeback and Audacity
- Style: Beccaria stands out for his ability to bounce back, even in the most difficult situations.
- Strengths:
- Vendée Arctique: After trailing by up to 200 nautical miles, he took advantage of a windless zone to overtake Goodchild in the final hours, winning by 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Bold strategy: He chose a route west of Ireland, while Goodchild and Bonafous opted for the Irish Sea—a decision that paid off.
- Resilience: Despite technical issues (torn electrical panel, finicky autopilot) and diving under his IMOCA to free a fishing gear, he held on until the end.
- Quotes: “Never in my life would I have thought I could make up 200 miles. But in sailing, there’s always an element of luck.” — Ambrogio Beccaria
The Other Key Players of the Season
- Jérémie Beyou (Charal): 3rd in the 48 Hours of the Défi Azimut, always lurking.
- Violette Dorange (Initiatives-Cœur): 3rd in the Vendée Arctique, 5th in the Défi Azimut, confirming her rise among the elite.
- Corentin Horeau (MACSF): 4th in the Défi Azimut, showing clear improvement.
What This Means for the Future
- End of French Dominance: For the first time, an Italian (Beccaria) and a Franco-British sailor (Goodchild) dominate the rankings and victories, relegating the French to a supporting role.
- The Route du Rhum on the Horizon: The next duel between the two is scheduled for November 2026, with maximum tension following their respective performances.
- A Tribute to Charlie Dalin: The season was marked by the passing of the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe winner, whose boat, skippered by Goodchild, continues to shine. The skippers paid tribute to his memory during the races.
What’s Next?
The 2026 season has proven that IMOCA is entering a new era, where performance no longer depends on nationality but on strategy, resilience, and innovation. Goodchild and Beccaria have led the way. Will the Route du Rhum be the stage for a new chapter in their rivalry? One thing is certain: the French are no longer the only favorites.