The first SOF winners in Kitefoil (Formula Kite) and Windfoil (IQFOiL)
The finals for the men's and women's Kitefoil (Formula Kite) and Windfoil (IQFOiL) were held on April 25, 2024 . Frenchwoman Jessie Kampman won the Formula Kite Women's event in fine style, with an imperious performance on the last two tacks of the final. Lauriane Nolot took 3rd place. England's Eleanor Aldridge came in between the two Tricolores in second place. In the men's category, Singaporean Maximillian Maeder won, followed by Solvenian Toni Vodisek, who consolidated his position ahead of Frenchman Axel Mazella.
In iQFoil, Aruba's Ethan Westera won the grand final ahead of Australia's Grae Morris and Spain's Nacho Baltsar. Frenchman Nicolas Goyard finished in 6th place. In the women's category, Israel's Tamar Steinberg was the logical winner, ahead of Norway's Mina Mobekk and Croatia's Palma Cargo. Lola Sorin and Hélène Noesmoen failed to reach the quarter-finals, finishing 6th and 7th respectively.
Eurocat, the meeting place for catamaran enthusiasts
The 36th Eurocat will be held from April 26 to 28 in Quiberon Bay . Organized since 1986 by the Carnac Yacht Club, this event marks the start of the season for all catamaran enthusiasts. Conditions promise to be optimal for the 100 entries from France, Belgium, Ireland and Great Britain. Among the racers are well-known names such as Thibaut Vauchel-Camus, Yvan Bourgnon and Emmanuel le Roch, as well as regulars like William Sunnucks and François Sangiardi.
A new Figaro season for Martin Le Pape
After racing in the Class40 and IMOCA classes, Martin Le Pape is back on the Figaro circuit. He is wearing the colors of the Fonds DEMAIN, the major solidarity program for equal opportunity, with his sights set on the Solitaire du Figaro 2025, but before that he will be taking part in the Paprec transatlantic race from Concarneau to Saint Barthélémy. Although the sailor has already raised part of the budget, he is still looking for partners willing to accompany him on this adventure, which runs until mid-2025.
New names for TR Racing's IMOCA boats
Thomas Ruyant's new monohull, winner of the last Transat Jacques Vabre and the fastest in the world over 24 hours, and Sam Goodchild's boat, IMOCA Champion 2023, will now bear the same name: VULNERABLE. Together with their sailors, they will be the ambassadors of a vulnerability campaign initiated by Advens, a European flagship in cybersecurity and TR Racing's title and technology partner.
Pen Duick VI replica at the start of the Route du Rhum 2026
Sailor and entrepreneur Arnaud Pennarun has embarked on an ambitious project: to rebuild Pen Duick VI to take part in the Route du Rhum 2026 . Designed by Sétois architect André Allègre, Pen-Duick IV, built in 1968 at Chantiers et Ateliers de la Perrière in Lorient, is an ultra-modern aluminum trimaran for its time. On board, Eric Tabarly wanted to win the 1968 Transat. Forced to retire from the 1968 edition of the transatlantic race, the trimaran, nicknamed the "giant octopus" or "the tennis court", revolutionized ocean racing and went on to set a string of records. It would also be an opportunity to reunite the entire Pen Duick fleet, the only thing missing being the large 20 m trimaran.
The America's Cup is getting closer
As the 37th Louis Vuitton America's Cup approaches, the intensity mounts and four teams have already unveiled their brand new AC75s. Early sailing shows that Alinghi Red Bull Racing's performance is catching everyone's attention. The team is using full-span custom foils, which are clearly having a huge effect on performance.
Opening of the CIC Transat village in Lorient
On April 23, 2024, The Transat CICâ??s Start Village was inaugurated this Tuesday in Lorient La Base. It will be open to the general public every day until Sunday April 28, offering a wide range of free activities. The 33 IMOCAs and 13 Clas40s left the Lorient pontoons on Tuesday morning for a parade around the island of Groix. In the IMOCA class, Boris Herrmann (Malizia - Seaexplorer) won ahead of Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) and James Harayda (Gentoo Sailing Team). In Class40, Fabien Delahaye (Legallais) beat Vincent Riou (Pierreval âeuros Fondation GoodPlanet) and Axel Tréhin (Project Rescue Ocean). The race will start on Sunday, April 28, 2024.
Maiden wins IRC Ocean Globe Race
The all-female crew of British yacht Maiden takes first place in the Ocean Globe Race in the IRC category. The all-female international crew crossed the finish line at Cowes Royal Yacht Squadron at 10:52 UTC on April 16, 2024, having sailed 6,599 miles from Punta del Este on the fourth leg of the OGR. Their nearest rival for the overall IRC title, Triana FR (66), was due to finish on the morning of the 22nd to win, but the weather postponed its arrival until April 23rd.
Most of the fleet rounded Madeira on Cap Martinique
After a week of racing, a large part of the fleet passed the Cap-Martiniqueâ??s only course mark this weekend: Madère. The fleet is sailing fairly close together and the gaps are tight. In the double-handed category, two crews are battling it out for first place. Noà "l Racine and Ludovic Sénechal from Le Havre (Foggy Dew for FOP France) took the lead in Madère, but young southerners Adrien Follin and Pierre Garreta (SNSM St-Tropez) have just regained the advantage. In solo racing, Ludovic Gérard (Solenn for Pure Ocean) and Régis Vian (CMG âeuros EJ pour Ecole Jules Verne) are engaged in a similar duel. The first are due to start on May 4, 2024.
Xavier Macaire, Pierre Leboucher and Carlos Manera Pascual on the Class40 Groupe Snef won this first Niji40 between Belle-Île-en-Mer and Marie Galante. The trio crossed the Guadeloupe finish line at 03 hours 06 minutes 28 seconds local time (09 hours 06 minutes 28 seconds Paris time) on Monday April 22, 2024. The crew will have completed the course in 14 days 20 hours 06 minutes 28 seconds at an average speed of 9.87 knots. Alberto Riva, Jean Marre, Benjamin Schwartz, on Acrobatica joined the frontrunners less than an hour later, crossing the line at 04 hours 04 minutes 00 seconds local time, after 14 days 21 hours 04 minutes 00 seconds at an average speed of 9.84 knots.
