Damage to Arkea Ultim Challenge
Armel le Cléac'h on the Maxi Banque Populaire XI made a stopover in Recife, Brazil, following damage to the front balcony of the central hull, coupled with a foil system blockage. He also refitted the gennaker tack. The sailor resumed racing on January 16.
On January 18, it was Tom Laperche's turn on SVR-Lazartigue to announce damage. He was in second place, some 1,300 miles from Cape Town, behind leader Charles Caudrelier on Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. A collision damaged the daggerboard casing, causing a significant, but stabilized, ingress of water. The sailor is now making his way to South Africa for repairs.
Leader Charles Caudrelier rounded the Cape of Good Hope this Friday.
Start of the 3rd stage of the OGR
The start of the 3rd leg of the Ocean Globe Racce, from Auckland to Punta del Este in Uruguay, was given on Sunday, January 13, 2024. The competitors in this old-fashioned round-the-world race begin their Atlantic crossing, led this Friday by Italy's Translated 9.
The Globe 40 unveils its first registrants and a course in the making
Around ten crews have signed up for the Globe40 2025-2026, a crewed round-the-world Class40 race. 7 projects have been formally registered, 2 new designs for the Globe40 are at the origin of a first build and a second in preparation, and at least 2 other Class40s are in the process of being purchased in the coming weeks by advanced projects. Six stages have been validated and will be announced shortly for this second edition of the race.
Spi Ouest France renews partnership with Banque Populaire
On January 16, Spi Ouest-France announced the new dates for the next edition. It will take place from March 28 to April 1, 2024 in La Trinité-sur-Mer. On this occasion, Banque Populaire Grand Ouest announced the renewal of its partnership until 2028.
The creator of the Solitaire du Figaro has died
Jean-Michel Barrault, a well-known writer and journalist, died on January 17, 2024 at the age of 96. Having written for numerous nautical magazines, he was above all the creator of the Solitaire du Figaro with Jean-Louis Guillemard. Launched in 1970, it was originally called the Course de l'Aurore.
A new Class40 for William Mathelin-Moreaux and Dékuple
Dékuple, European leader in data marketing, and skipper William Mathelin-Moreaux have renewed their partnership for the 3rd year running. Together, they have launched the construction of a new Class40 in Italy, which will be launched this spring. This is a Musa 40 designed by architect Gianluca Guelfi, the sistership of the winning boat in the Transat Jacques Vabre by Italian Ambrogio Beccaria.
Make way for the 3rd edition of the Sailorz Film Festival
The 3rd edition of the Sailorz Film Festival this year's sailing film festival kicked off on January 17 in Lorient. For this new edition, 3h30 of screenings and 6 films will be shown on a 25-date tour.
A second ESailing French Championship title for Tim Carpentier
Tim Carpentier has been crowned French Esailing champion for the second time running. This virtual discipline enables sailing enthusiasts to compete in online regattas. This Saturday, January 13, 2024, 10 of the best specialists gathered at the headquarters of the French Sailing Federation in Paris for the 5th French eSailing Championship. After more than two hours of competition, on 10 different courses and supports, Tim Carpentier won the Medal Race, the 10th and final race, ahead of Alexandre Kowalski and Tristan Peron.
A new Class40 project for the Frérot family
After experience in the Mini Transat, Julien Letissier finishes 3rd and Thaïs Le Cam 9th overall. Julien also wins the French Ocean Racing Championship. As well as setting their sights on the Mini Transat 2025, the Frérots are embarking on a Class40 project, with the Transat Jacques Vabre and double-handed races in mind. They are now looking for an investor/owner for the Class40 and a main partner for the Mini 1068.
Sail GP, the Spaniards on form in Abu Dhabi
In 5 to 7 knots of wind, the Sail GP teams raced in front of the Abu Dhabi buildings. On the first day, the Spaniards won two of the three races. On the following day, the final day of the 7th Sail GP, the New Zealanders won for the third time this season. The final pitted them against the Spaniards, second, and the Americans, 3rd. The French finished 4th.
