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A nautical adventure inspired by a legend
In 2018, La Longue Route was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the extraordinary voyage of Bernard Moitessier, a yachtsman who left his mark on the history of yachting. Moitessier, known for his participation in the Golden Globe in 1968, had chosen to continue his voyage rather than return to Europe, thus marking history and the memory of sailors. The Longue Route 2024 aims to relive this spirit of freedom and adventure at sea.
Bernard Moitessier made his mark with his book "La Longue Route" (The Long Road), in which he recounts his non-stop single-handed round-the-world voyage . This nautical event is designed to honor his memory, even more so on this 2024/2025 edition, since the navigator would have celebrated his 100th birthday in 2025.
A joint departure from Lorient
With no notion of a race, but single-handed, non-stop, and without assistance, La Longue Route welcomes yachts no larger than 52 feet. In 2018, participants could start from any port they wished, as long as it was above the forty-fifth parallel.
For this second edition, Longue Route association president Francis Tolan wanted a joint start, as co-organizer Bruno Tréca explains: "The skippers will set off from Lorient Centre. This allows them to exchange ideas and form a community of skippers before the start. They'll be staying together for a week before the start, so it'll be very friendly. In the previous edition, they missed this exchange. In terms of communication, it's also more interesting for the race. We were offered ports in the English Channel, but it was more complicated, especially when it came to leaving the Channel. Sellor suggested that we organize the start from Lorient Ville, which also counterbalances the numerous events organized at Lorient La Base. It will also enable yachtsmen to rub shoulders with people who will be taking part in a round-the-world race on "ordinary people's" boats.
Bernard Moitessier's legendary sailboat Joshua will be on hand for the start of La Longue Route, with a parade starting at 10am. The tuna boat Biche will also be offering a day trip to accompany the sailors.
Around the world via the three capes
They will be 7 to take the start of this edition, 9 having withdrawn and one being under consideration. The date is set for August 11, 2024. Only one woman, Germany's Susanne Huber-Curphey, will be taking part in the Long Route. In 2018, 24 adventurers set sail, and only 4 of them managed to complete the non-stop circumnavigation. 7 made stopovers, two were shipwrecked and the rest abandoned.
Unlike many modern races, this event does not impose specific routes or time limits. Sailors are encouraged to follow their own path, respecting the spirit of freedom dear to Moitessier. The only rule is to complete a single-handed, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe, via all 3 capes.
