/ 
In this period of high health constraints where regattas are cancelled one after the other (Tour de Belle Île, Armen Race, Spring Regatta, Record de la Vieille... to name only the Breton events), the Yacht Club du Crouesty Arzon (YCCA) and its team of volunteers, led by Marc Eymond, the president, have gone to great lengths to offer you a pleasant 6-day program around the Morbihan islands. Sport and pleasure will be at the rendezvous for sailing enthusiasts.
Here we go again! The 2021 edition of the Tour des Ports du Morbihan is ready and waiting for you. This sporting and festive event will take place from July 3 to 8, starting in Locmiquélic and finishing in Crouesty. The key words will be conviviality with family and friends on the water and on land.
Despite the temporary closure of the YCCA office, the volunteers are hard at work to complete the final preparations for the Tour des Ports du Morbihan. This year, Voile Bretagne Sud entrusts them again with the organization of this very appreciated regatta with safe coastal courses, well supervised and with few difficulties. The theme chosen this year promises a "trip around the islands".
Where and when? Which route?
The participants will be expected at the starting harbor of Locmiquélic (Lorient) from 14H on Saturday, July 3, 2021, for the last registrations and the presentation of the regatta around a welcome drink.
Here is the schedule for the five days of racing:
- Sunday, July 4: Locmiquélic / Tour de Groix / Lorient Ville
- Monday, July 5: Lorient Ville / la Teignouse / Port-Haliguen
- Tuesday, July 6: Port-Haliguen / les Béniguets / Galères buoy / Houat / La Trinité sur Mer
- Wednesday, July 7: La Trinité sur Mer / Dumet Island / Le Crouesty
- Thursday, July 8 : Le Crouesty / Hoëdic tour by the Sisters / Grands Cardinaux / Le Crouesty
Who can participate?
This event is governed by the FFV Racing Rules of Sailing (grade 5A) and is open to all monohulls of category A B C or D CE design. The IC (racing instructions) will be available after June 26th at 8:00 pm. The crew members will have to be in possession of a FFVoile Club license. Registration is limited to about 40 boats and is possible until July 3rd at 7pm, as long as there are still places available.
Registration fees are set at 250 euros per boat until June 20, then increased by 20 euros after this date. This financial participation is not very high, because everything is included: the drinks at the end of the regatta each evening and the nights in the host ports.
A word from the sponsors
Institutional partners include the Morbihan department, the Compagnie des Ports du Morbihan, which takes care of overnight stays during the regatta, Sellor in Lorient and the SNSM. Companies remain faithful to this event such as Banque Populaire Crédit Maritime, Hénaff, PEMZEC Automobile, Kerboat Service, Azimut and Groix & Nature. Le Télégramme is the media in charge of producing an article at each stage of the tour of the partner ports. In addition to the prizes and lots given to the winners, a Fair-Play Prize is offered on the last day.
How does it work on the water?
During the week, there are generally 2 series depending on the size of the boats entered and a third series "rally cruising" for amateurs, with 5 to 6 boats competing each year. The principle is to introduce regattas to people who have never sailed before, allowing them to sail at their own pace with supervision, while enjoying 100% of the regatta atmosphere. They are entitled to a finish and a ranking. The association "La voile pour se reconstruire" (Sailing to rebuild oneself) is faithful to this event, in order to initiate physically or psychologically injured soldiers to the marine element.
Two legs per day allow the fleets to be closer together when the wind is lacking, and facilitate a grouped return to the rallying port. The departures and routes take into account the wind and current parameters to offer uncomplicated courses. It is also a time of the year when the sea is beautiful and the weather conditions very pleasant.
And on land?
The volunteers, 9 to 10 on the water and 2 to 3 on land, are getting organized. Everything has to be ready when the crews arrive at the pontoon each evening after having battled on the water. This is the moment of the debriefing where they can review the day's race with enthusiasm over a friendly drink. Every evening, the links are created by the proclamation of the results of the day and the general classification, embellished by the drawing of small prizes (bottles or prizes of the sponsors) festive and always appreciated.
The 2020 edition had been cancelled due to the health situation. With the Duo Cat-Amania organized at the end of June this year by the SNT, it is one of the few sporting events maintained to date. The authorization by the Prefect to the race organization is expected in early June.
The invitations will be sent this weekend to the racers of the last 3 editions, but it is possible to register today on the official website. A dozen boats have already confirmed their willingness to participate.
After a week, a real complicity and solidarity are being formed on the water and on the pontoons. Let's bet that this long awaited reunion and the pleasure of sailing together will have a special flavor at the beginning of this summer.
