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A new departure in the Mediterranean with the CIC Med Channel Race
For the first time, the Class40 Crédit Mutuel will take part in the CIC Med Channel Race, a regatta between the Var islands, Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearic Islands, before returning to Marseille. The event, which starts on April 27, 2025, offers a technical playground with unpredictable Mediterranean weather conditions. Ian Lipinski, who admits he has never raced in this area, sees it as an opportunity to diversify his experience while preparing for the season. The team has chosen to compete with Class40 158 (the former Credit Mutuel) for logistical reasons, with 202 (the new boat due to be launched in 2024) remaining in Brittany for training purposes.
A return to familiar territory: the CIC Normandy Channel Race
On May 25, 2025, Ian Lipinski will return to a course he knows well: the English Channel and the Irish Sea, the playgrounds of the CIC Normandy Channel Race. This demanding format, with its many technical passages, will be a dress rehearsal before the big departure for the Globe 40. On this regatta, Ian will sail the Class40 202, optimized for long distances in preparation for the Route du Rhum 2026.
The Globe 40: a round-the-world adventure in stages
One of the highlights of the year will undoubtedly be the Globe 40, a double-handed round-the-world race with stopovers. The prologue in Lorient on August 31, 2025 will mark the start of this epic journey, before the official departure from Cadiz on September 14. Seven legs are planned, including Mindelo in Cape Verde, Reunion Island, Sydney and Recife. This demanding course is designed to test not only the performance of the boats, but also the resilience of the crews over long and varied legs. This will be skipper Ian Lipinski's first round-the-world race.
A demanding program to prepare for the future
Each regatta in 2025 will also serve as training for the Route du Rhum 2026, the real highlight of Ian Lipinski's program. By focusing on the reliability and performance of the Class40, the team aims to perfect every technical and human detail for this iconic race.
Ian Lipinski: a sailor with controlled audacity
At 43, Ian Lipinski boasts an impressive track record, marked by victories in prestigious races such as the Mini Transat and the Transat Jacques Vabre. Known for his ability to push the limits and take on a variety of challenges, he combines technological innovation and human management in every project. Today, Ian Lipinski has established himself as a key player in the Class40 world.
