Tour Voile, heading for Deauville for stage 4
The Tour Voile kicked off on Saturday June 29 for 15 days of racing. On the same day, "Auray Quiberon by Orlabay" took the overall lead after the first day's racing off Bray Dunes, winning the Grand Prix de Dunkerque Communauté Urbaine. On June 30, the 15 crews reached Belgium after a 44-mile course towards Blankenberge. Dunkerque Voile came out on top, taking 1st place overall ahead of "Auray Quiberon by Orlabay" and "Projet de l'Arche au Havr".
On July 1, at the end of the Belgian leg, the Dunkirk crew maintained its lead in the provisional overall rankings. On July 2, the Tour Voile left Belgium for Dieppe, with a first night at sea planned. The Figaro Beneteau 3 CER-Ville de Genève and Mars'Elles were hot on their heels off Dunkirk in the morning. Projet de l'Arche in Le Havre won this offshore leg (before jury), crossing the finish line at 15h40 on July 3. Dunkerque Voile and La Réunion completed the podium, just one minute apart. For the Grand Prix de Dieppe Pays Normand, the 13 Tour Voile crews sailed nearly 20 miles along the Côte d'Albâtre on Thursday, July 4. Auray Quiberon by Orlabay won this eighth race. Les Étoiles Filantes and Projet de l'Arche in Le Havre completed the podium. Dunkerque Voile remains at the top of the provisional overall ranking (before jury).
On July 5, the 14 Figaro Bénéteau boats left Dieppe for Deauville, a 165-mile journey in varied weather conditions.
A new edition of the Arkea Ultim Challenge in 2028
The organizers of the Arkea Ultim Challenge, the round-the-world Ultim race won by Charles Caudrelier on the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, have drawn a positive balance from the event, which brought together 6 Ultims for a solo round-the-world race. Five of them finally crossed the finish line, Tom Laperche on SVR-Lazartigue having to retire. In view of this success, we're looking forward to seeing you in 2028.
SCC France joins forces with Hélène Noesmoen
SCC France, a leader among major technology partners, has announced its partnership with Hélène Noesmoen, who will represent France in windsurfing at the Olympic Games. The aim of this partnership is to support Hélène in her quest for an Olympic medal, while promoting gender equality and environmental responsibility in sport.
New foils for IMOCA Biotherm
Paul Meilhat's IMOCA Biotherm has just completed a major refit before the Vendée Globe 2024. The damage sustained during The Transat CIC while Biotherm was sailing in 3rd position has finally opened up new prospects: the construction of a pair of new foils. Based on an existing design by architect Sam Manuard, these new foils will be a little more all-round and should improve the boat's downwind behavior.
Return of the Brest Douarnenez Classic Hoalen
Launched in 2023, the Brest Douarnenez welcomed some of the finest classic yachts in the Atlantic for a regatta. From August 24 to 29, 2024, ten of the world's finest regatta yachts from 15 to 38 meters, built between 1898 and 1963, between the Celtic Sea, the English Channel and the Mer d'Iroise, will race between Brest and Douarnenez for the second time during the Hoalen Brest Douarnenez Classic. After a successful first edition in 2023 on the Atlantic coast, this event for classic yachts continues to grow. It welcomes its title partner, Hoalen, as well as an enlarged fleet to Finistère.
The 40 skippers taking part in the Vendée Globe are known
Everyone was eagerly awaiting the Vendée Globe organization's decision on the names of the 40 qualifiers for next November's IMOCA round-the-world race. In the end, the jury chose to reward the most "deserving", and of the three skippers in the running, it was Oliver Heer who came out on top, the skipper having accumulated the most miles. François Guiffant and James Harayada remain on the sidelines. The former has published an open letter commenting on the decision, which he considers unfair.
Launch of the French Youth Sailing Championships
After two successful editions on Lake Hourtin, this year's Championnat de France Minimes will take place in Cherbourg en Cotentin, from July 6 to Thursday July 11, 2024. It's aimed at young sailors aged 12 to 14, and will see the new champions of France 2024 crowned.
Start of the Transat Québec Saint-Malo
The start of the Transat Québec Saint-Malo was given on Sunday June 30, at 8pm French time. There are 27 boats in the running, 23 Class40s and 4 Gerry Rouf Class. Of particular note is the disembarkation of Claudia Conti, crew member of La Boulangère Bio, who was injured during a maneuver and is suffering from chest pains. The operation will take place in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. The first 17 boats in the race have already arrived off the French archipelago. Ambrogio Beccaria, leading the fleet, was 2 hours ahead of Nicolas d'Estais' Café Joyeux.
Departure from La Trinité-Cherbourg by Actual
The start of the 6th edition of La Trinité-Cherbourg by Actual was given at 5pm on Sunday June 30, 2024. The 22 crews set off on a 365-mile course along the Atlantic and English Channel coasts. The 2 Class40s, 7 crewed IRCs and 11 double-handed IRCs will have four course marks to pass: la Teignouse, la Plate then Wolfrock and Eddystone off the coast of Great Britain.
Foiling Week, the latest winners announced
The 11th edition of Foiling Week came to a close on June 30, 2024, welcoming over 380 sailors to Lake Garda to take part in one of the world's biggest events dedicated to foiling. On the racing side, after the results of the WASZP, BirdyFish and Switch one Design classes, the event ended with the races of the Moth and ETF26 classes. The Moth class ended Foiling week with a total of eight races contested. Frenchman Enzo Balanger won the event once again, after a rather successful 2023 edition, ahead of New Zealander Mattias Coutts and Briton Simon Hiscocks. Germany's Lisa Schweigert came first in the women's race, while Switzerland's Antonin Radue was the best young sailor.
The ETF26 class contested ten races in a variety of conditions. Last year's winner, Entreprises du Morbihan, skippered by Matthieu Salomon, regained the title, finishing ahead of Team Rockwool, skippered by SailGP Denmark Nicolai Sehested, and Blueshift Sailing Team, skippered by Henri Demesmaeker.
The first ever SUP downwind foil race between Torbole and Malcesine and back was won by foil pioneer Philippe Axmann, followed by Lukas Schuler and new foil "guru" Gwen Le Tutour. Three-time SUP Foil world champion Olivia Piana was the first woman to finish.
The VSF Group has found its Class40 skipper
On March 11, 2024, the VSF Group launched a call for candidates to find its next Class40 skipper. Following a selection process based on objective criteria, the nine-strong jury reached its verdict. The Spanish skipper, Pep Costa, will carry the colors of the VSF Group and VSF Sports Sailing for three years. Nearly 50 applications were received by the group. The young sailor was born in Barcelona in 1999 and has taken part in numerous races since 2019 on the Mini 6.60, Figaro Bénéteau, Ocean Fifty, Class40 circuit...
