12 duos registered for the Transat Paprec
The Transat Paprec reserved for Figaro Bénéteau 3 will start from Concarneau on April 30th, 2023. For the first time, the race will be run as a mandatory mixed duo. However, the winners will not be the first female-male duo in the list of winners, Karine Fauconnier and Lionel Lemonchois had already made this choice in 2000. They will be 12 pairs aiming for Saint-Barthélemy, in the West Indies, including Martin Le Pape and Elodie Bonafous, Corentin Horeau and Pauline Courtois, Loïs Berrehar and Charlotte Yven or Basile Bourgnon and Violette Dorange. If the weather conditions are right, the race time could be under 18 days.
13 registered on the Atlantic Challenge Guadeloupe Horta La Rochelle 2023
For the second edition of the Atlantic Challenge, 13 Class40s will take part in the crewed transatlantic race. We will find winners of the Transat Jacques Vabre, of the CIC Normandy Channel, winner of the Mini Transat, of the RORC Carribean 600...
A new Class40 for Fabien Delahaye
After two years working alongside Pierre Casenave-Péré on the Class40 circuit, the Legallais group is continuing its commitment to the circuit with a new skipper and a new boat currently under construction. Fabien Delahaye is having a Lombard design built at the Grand Largue Composites and V1D2 shipyards in Caen. The boat will be launched next summer. In the meantime, the Norman will sail on a rented Class40.
A new life for the IMOCA Banque Populaire, ex-Apivia
Alex Thomson and Banque Populaire, via their social networks, have announced respectively the purchase and sale of the IMOCA Banque Populaire, which is none other than Apivia, the most titled in its category. Bought by the bank for Clarisse Crémer following the Route du Rhum 2018, the sponsor had finally decided to withdraw not being sure that the young woman qualifies in view of her maternity leave and the races not done during that time. According to the Telegram, Alex Thomson could rent the IMOCA to the young woman and integrate her in his technical team. The latter would seek budgets to rent the boat.
A new management team for the Vendée Globe 2024 and already 28 entries
Jacques Caraës, race director of the two previous editions, is handing over to his right-hand man Hubert Lemonnier. First assistant to the former race director, Hubert Lemonnier moved to race direction in 2010 for the Barcelona World Race and then the Vendée Globe 2012, 2016 and 2020, but also for other IMOCA races. The two men will be accompanied by Claire Renou, Pierre Hays and Yann Eliès.
The organization also unveiled the first 28 official candidates of this 10th edition, including Charlie Dalin, Macif, Jérémie Beyou, Charal, Kevin Escoffier, Holcim-PRB, or Justine Mettraux, Teamwork.net. This edition will also see the return of King Jean, Tout commence en Finistère - Armor Lux. All of them will have to confirm their registration before October 2, 2023 and complete a qualifying course.
Sail GP, a first Canadian victory
The penultimate stage before the SailGP final took place in New Zealand in Christchurch. After a neck and neck battle with New Zealand, the home favourite, the young Canadian team finally won. The final was decisive and allowed the team to win its first victory on the circuit. The French finished the stage in the middle of the table, despite a first race in the lead. They finished 5th in the event ranking and remain 3rd overall before the grand finale in San Francisco next May.
A first victory in the Figaro Bénéteau for Corentin Horeau
The 20th edition of the Solo Maître Coq ended with the offshore leg on Saturday, March 18. Described by the leaders as "wild" with heavy sea and wind conditions, it was obviously better negotiated by the regulars. Thus, Corentin Horeau on Mutuelle Bleue, 3rd in the coastal course of the race finished this second event in first position. He thus won the overall classification, but also his first victory in the Figaro Bénéteau 3. Alexis Loison, Groupe Réel and Elodie Bonafous, Quéguiner - La Vie en Rose, complete the podium.
