The Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015
The Volvo Ocean Race is a crewed round-the-world race with stopovers, which is raced on Volvo Ocean 65 one-design boats. This year, 7 crews (including one 100% female) were engaged in this round-the-world race, formerly called the Whitebread. The race will last 9 months, taking place on four oceans, five continents, with 11 stopovers in 11 different countries.
For many months, we have taken part in this intense race, sharing with the sailors involved their adventures. To note the grounding of Team Vestas Wind, on November 29, 2014, the dismasting of Dongfeng Race Team in March 2015, the numerous damages that occurred on board the boats... But also the beautiful victory of the female crew of Team SCA on the French stage (Lorient), the superb performance of the Franco-Chinese crew, led by Charles Caudrelier and composed of Chinese sailors, some of whom had never spent the night on a boat.
As well as the battle between Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, the Emirati team and Dongfeng Race Team for the grand final victory, finally won by the first crew, in June 2015.
See the victory of the Emirati team
Our complete file on the Volvo Ocean Race
The Solitaire du Figaro
The 46th edition of the Solitaire du Figaro Eric Bompard Cachemire was launched on May 31, 2015, bringing together 39 sailors. On May 30, the traditional opening regatta was held, which Xavier Macaire (Skipper Hérault) won.
Started from Pauillac, the sailors reached Sanxenxo, to complete the 1st stage, won by Thierry Chabagny on June 4, 2015.
Then the skippers of the Solitaire du Figaro took the start of the 2nd leg towards La Cornouaille and the Port of Concarneau, on June 7. But the conditions were too rough and caused Corentin Horeau to dismast and forced the fleet to go to the port of La Coruña, to spend the night there.
The sailors set off again on June 10 for the 2nd leg, won by Sébastien Simon on June 12. The 3rd leg, launched on June 14, was won by Yann Eliès. Finally, the last leg of the Solitaire du Figaro was won by Xavier Macaire.
With this arrival in Dieppe, more than an hour before Yann Eliès (Groupe Queguiner-Leucémie espoir) and Charlie Dalin (Skipper Macif 2015), Xavier Macaire (Skipper Hérault) takes first place in the provisional general ranking of the 46th edition of the Solitaire du Figaro.
However, the latter violated maritime regulations by entering a zone forbidden to navigation. After a complaint, Xavier Macaire was given a 60-minute penalty, dropping him from first to third place.
The big winner of this 46th edition is Yann Eliès.
The Mini-Transat Ile de Guadeloupe
The 20th edition of the Mini-Transat Iles de Guadeloupe left on September 19th from Douarnenez for an Atlantic crossing to Pointe-à-Pitre with a stopover in Lanzarote.
This race, which takes place on production boats or prototypes - Mini 6.50 - has seen the birth of many ocean racing skippers and is a must for aspiring sailors. This year, 72 sailors were involved in the Mini-Transat (26 in the prototype class and 46 in the production class).
The 1st leg to Lanzarote was won by Davy Beaudart in the prototype and Ian Lipinsky in the series. The technical stops were numerous on this first leg of the course. In total, 15 solo sailors had to stop in a port on the Spanish or Portuguese coast. And for eight of them, this stopover ended with an abandonment.
And it is finally Frédéric Denis (prototype boats) and Ian Lipinsky (production boats) who won this 20th edition of the Mini-Transat Iles de Guadeloupe, receiving their award at the Nautic.
See the winners of the Mini Transat
The Transat Jacques Vabre
This 12th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre was marked by the return of the Ultimates - giant trimarans - but also by the arrival of foils on the Imoca boats. 42 crews were entered in this two-handed race, where the weather conditions were extremely difficult, causing a lot of breakage and forcing many duos to retire.
Please note the capsizing of Lionel Lemonchois and Roland Jourdain (Prince de Bretagne) in Ultimate and the accident of Yvan Bourgnon and Gilles Lamiré (Multi50 La French-Tech Saint-Malo). But also the abandonment of half the Imoca fleet !
But above all the beautiful victory of François Gabart and Pascal Bidégorry, on the trimaran Macif, launched only a few weeks before!
Our file on the Transat Jacques Vabre
The Tour de France à la Voile
The highlight of the 2015 edition of the Tour de France à la Voile was without a doubt the arrival of the Diam 24. A one-design multihull of 7.25 m, built by Vianney Ancelin, it put everyone on an equal footing.
31 crews were engaged on this coastal race, doing the show in 9 different cities.
The 38th edition was won by Spindrift 2 on the last act in Nice on July 25th.
