The great names in sailing gathered at the Atlantic Grand Prix this weekend (44)

After the Spi Ouest France, organized at the beginning of April, the Diam 24, new support of the Tour de France à la Voile, are back on the first stage of the Diam 24 Series circuit, in Pornichet.

Chloé Torterat Published on April 16, 2015

The Grand Prix de l'Atlantique, the first stage of the Diam 24 Series circuit, takes place in the bay of Pornichet, from April 16 to 19, 2015. Organized by the APCC Voile Sportive, Club Nautique de Nantes, it will allow crews to sail in the real conditions of the Tour de France à la Voile with courses designed as "nautical stages" and coastal raids. It is therefore a good opportunity to get used to the water before the arrival of the Tour de France à la Voile fleet on July 9 and 10. On this first stage of the circuit (which is composed of 5 stages in total), the crews will race on identical circuits to those they will find during the Tour de France. The races will be organized on technical courses in the bay of La Baule from Friday to Sunday and a coastal raid on Saturday morning.

Big names in sailing

They are 24 crews to take the start of the Grand Prix de l'Atlantique and among them, big names in sailing, including some participants of the Spi Ouest France. As a reminder, there were 17 crews participating in the regatta at the beginning of April. Among the big names, we find Xavier Revil (Spindrift White), winner of the Spi Ouest France, Pierre Pennec (Groupama), Fred Guilmin (Combiwest), Vincent Riou (PRB), Sébastien Rogues (GDF SUEZ), Yann Guichard (Spindrift Black). The newcomers are no less great sailors, François Gabart (Macif) and Armel Le Cléac'h, respectively first and second in the last Vendée Globe, Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat), recently winner of the Barcelona World Race with Jean Le Cam, Erwan Tabarly (Armor Lux - Comptoir de la Mer), Kito de Pavant (Made in Midi) or Alexia Barrier (30 Corsaires).

Three days of racing

The participants will start on several courses built in Stade Nautique, about 20 minutes, in front of the beach of Pornichet. Two coastal raids will also be on the program. The races started this Friday at 3:30 pm with at least 3 technical courses run in the afternoon. On Saturday, the competitors will start their day with a 30 or 40 miles raid along the Côte Sauvage, followed by several technical courses in the afternoon, depending on the weather conditions. Sunday's program is not yet fixed, but it is possible that the crews will compete on a one-hour coastal raid and some technical courses. The prize-giving ceremony is scheduled for 4:30 pm.

The APCC Voile Sportive organized this week a training course in the bay of Pornichet.