In March 2016 was held the 38 e edition of Spi Ouest France destination Morbihan. This big Breton gathering gathers each year nearly 500 participants, who come to race in Atlantic. The organisation conducted a survey a few months after the regatta - in May 2016 - among skippers and crew members to better understand the profiles and motivations of the participants.
What profile?
143 people responded to the survey, including 101 skippers and 42 crew members mainly from the Paris region (34%). 29% are from Brittany and 19% from the Atlantic coast.
When it comes to gender and profession, sailing is proving to be a male and elitist sport. Indeed, 90% of the respondents were men and 71% were CSP+. On the other hand, all of them regularly practise sailing since 76% of them have more than 20 years of seniority and 78% practise it monthly. And not only for pleasure since nearly 1 respondent out of 2 participates in more than 5 competitions per year!
In summary, the Spi Ouest France participant is a man living in the Paris region with a privileged socio-professional category. He has been sailing for at least 20 years and has a monthly practice. Finally, he is a born competitor since he participates in more than 5 competitions per year.
What motivations?
What pushes sailors to race is first and foremost the spirit of competition. Then come the desire to share a good time with friends or the need to test his performance.
More particularly for the Spi Ouest France, it is also its duration (4 days) and its notoriety which push the sailors to register.
