The Vendée Globe unveils its communication campaign for visitors to the village
The Vendée Globe has launched the teasing phase of its communication campaign promoting soft mobility solutions set up by its partners to get to the event village from October 19 to November 10, the departure date of the round-the-world race. The aim is not to come to Les Sables "Alone", thanks to a number of solutions put in place with several partners.
40th Coupe Cap Corse
The 40th Coupe de Rivière des Cap Corses et Corsaire took place on April 27 and 28, 2024 in Créteil at the CVBM, Cercle de la Voile de la Basse Marne. Organized every year alternately by AS Corsaire and AS Cap Corse, it brings together the two classes at the end of April and beginning of May for a two- or three-day regatta on an inland stretch of water.
9 Corsairs and 4 Cap Corses competed in 8 races over the two days. The SRCO (Société des Régates de Caen Ouistreham) Corsaire Pen Coat confirmed its excellent performance of the previous day and won its first regatta with AS Corsaire. Véronique and her crew win the Fonfon Cup on the Corsaire Pen Coat.
Cap Martinique, first competitors expected on May 5
This April 30, after 16 days at sea, the first competitors in the Cap-Martinique have just crossed the symbolic 1,000-mile threshold to the finish line, where they are expected to start late at night on May 5. Amaury Dumortier and Geoffrey Thiriez have been leading the double-handed race for almost a week, and are battling to hold on to first place. The first solo competitor expected in Fort-de-France is Ludovic Gérard, already winner of the last edition, but sailing double-handed aboard his faithful Solenn for Pure Ocean.
10th Grand Prix of Sail GP season 4 in Bermuda
On May 4 and 5, the 10 F50s on the Sail GP circuit will return to the crystal-clear waters of Bermuda for the 10th Grand Prix of SailGP Season 4 . Now within touching distance of the top 3 (they are 4th), the French, led by Quentin Delapierre, are keen to build on their impressive rise. The Black Foils (NZL), now in the lead, will be looking to maintain their position against the three-time championship winners from Australia.
Almond sponsors sailor Thomas de Dinechin
Almond, an independent French cybersecurity group, becomes the main partner of sailor Thomas de Dinechin in the Figaro 2024 single-handed circuit.
The New York Vendée, the next challenge for the IMOCA boats
On May 29, 31 skippers will set sail on the return leg of The Transat CIC, from New York to Les Sables-d'Olonne. This race counts more than any other: for every mile sailed, skippers will count 1.5 miles towards a possible selection for the Vendée Globe. This race will allow skippers to earn (or not!) their famous sesame for the round-the-world race. The Vendée Globe line-up will be officially unveiled on July 2.
A full house for the 36th edition of Eurocat
The 36th edition of the Eurocat came to an end after three days of intense racing for the 100 crews who competed in Quiberon Bay. In the C4 class, Corentin Savina and Axel le Bihan achieved a near flawless performance to win the Eurocat. The podium was completed by Jean Rebours / Ulysse Regaud and Julien Autret / Paco Dengreville. Yanel Thiercelin and Lou Cheylan won the C3 class after a hard-fought battle with Ulysse Delzenne and Milo Vince. Cédric Cheylan and Marie-Laure Duhamel won the Dart 18 class by one point over François Morisset and Lenaic Billard. Michel Kermarec and Fanny Merelle were victorious in C1. Unsurprisingly, Frédéric Moreau and Thibaut Vauchel-Camus win the F18 class. Eilin Gorgues and Eliott Legru crushed the competition in the Nacra 15. The European Hurricane title was hotly contested, with just one point separating the top three finishers. Alex Farrall and Alex Warrington won, ahead of Trevor Bawden / Ben Harden and Richard Hanmore / Matthew Kimber.
Clap de fin for Les Dames de Saint-Tropez La Mer
The 11th edition of the Dames de Saint-Tropez La Mer came to a festive close on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez! Despite very capricious weather conditions offering rain followed by strong gales, the fifteen or so yachts in the running still managed to complete two races, one on the first day in the pouring rain and one on the last day in an easterly wind of 15 to 20 knots. Over 200 crew members took part in the regatta. 13 traditional yachts were competing, divided into two groups, Epoque and Classique. Once again, Charlotte Franquet's crew on the Bermudan cutter Sérénade won the Epoque group, ahead of Tuiga and Lulu. Maria Giovanna II, helmed by Sylvie Godquin, again took first place in her "Classique" group, ahead of ST Christopher and Ratafia.
Start of The Transat CIC
After an eight-year absence, The Transat CIC kicked off on Sunday April 28 from Lorient, in 15 knots of wind . The race, renowned for its difficult conditions due to a very northerly course, has already caused quite a bit of damage during the race. Several skippers have retired and others are facing breakage. Jean Le Cam had announced he would be taking part in the race - a qualifier for the Vendée Globe - but withdrew for family medical reasons. After 4 days of racing, 5 IMOCA boats have already retired, including Antoine Cornic, Sébastien Marsset, Arnaud Boissières, Louis Duc and Benjamin Ferré. Jérémie Beyou and Clarisse Crémer, victims of damage, have decided to make a stopover for repairs. In Class40, Quentin Le Labour and Aurélien Ducroz also threw in the towel.
Leading the IMOCA fleet since the start of the race, Charlie Dalin has finally given way to Yohann Richomme, who now has a 60-mile lead over his pursuer. Samantha Davies is in 3rd place, followed by Boris Herrmann and Paul Meilhat. In the Class40s, led by Ian Lipinski, a trio of boats are within a handkerchief of each other, completed by Ambrogio Beccaria and Fabien Delahaye. The first arrivals are expected from May 5.
SOF miss out on finals
The strong easterly wind on Saturday April 27 for the final day of the Medal Races at the 55th SOF forced the race committee to cancel the finals. Men's and women's double-handed dinghies (49er, 49er FX), mixed double-handed dinghies (470) and men's and women's single-handed dinghies (ILCA 7 & ILCA 6) therefore remained ashore. In the women's single-handed dinghy class (ILCA 6), American Charlotte Rose won the SOF ahead of Marit Bouwmeester of Holland and Norway's Line Flem Hoest. The French finished 11th (Marie Barrue), 17th (Louise Cervera) and 19th (Pernelle Michon).
In the men's single-handed dinghy class (ILCA 7), England's Michael Beckett was declared the overall winner, ahead of Australia's Matt Wearn. Germany's Philippe Buhl takes bronze. Jean-Baptiste Bernaz was 7th. In the women's double dinghy (49er FX), the Dutch Odile Van AAnholt and Annette Duetz won ahead of the Swedes (Bobeck/Netzler) and the New Zealanders (Aleh/Meech). The two French duos were 8th and 9th respectively. Spain's Diego Bottin and Florian Trittel win the men's double dinghy (49er) title ahead of Poland's Dominik Buksak and Szymon Wierzbicki. France's Erwan Fischer and Clément Pequin finished third.
French duo Camille Lecointre and Jérémie Mion topped the podium yesterday at the SOF 2024 in the double-handed dinghy (470), with Sweden's Anton Dahlberg and Lovisa Karlosson second and England's Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris third.
Opening of IMOCA Virtual Séries by CIC
Virtual Regatta, the IMOCA Class and the CIC, announce the official launch of the IMOCA Virtual Series by CIC. The virtual competition kicked off this Sunday, April 28, 2024, at the start of The Transat CIC and will open the doors of iconic races to sailing enthusiasts around the world throughout the year, inviting them to virtually immerse themselves in the adventure of sailing solo, double-handed or as part of a team, depending on the events on the IMOCA Globe Series calendar. The next events in the IMOCA Virtual Series by CIC will be the NY Vendée Les sables, starting on May 24, the Défi Azimut in September 2024 and the Vendée Globe in November.
Ian Lipinski's new Class40 launched
On April 26, 2024, navigator Ian Lipinski and his team launched the second Class40 Crédit Mutuel at Lorient La Base. For the design of Class40 202, Ian Lipinski, architect David Raison and the teams involved drew on the existing Class40 158 - the first boat to introduce the scow bow. While the first Class40 Crédit Mutuel was a multi-purpose boat, this new model is more oriented towards downwind medium conditions, which are more often encountered in transatlantic races. The shape of the hull has changed, giving it more power. It's tighter along the axis of the boat, with more width at the bow. In the interior, keels have been added to support the lateral structure and reduce the weight of all transverse bulkheads.
