INEOS Britannia part ways with Ben Ainslie: a turning point for the British America's Cup challenge
The British America's Cup challenge takes a new turn with the end of the collaboration between INEOS Britannia and legendary skipper Sir Ben Ainslie. After several years of partnership, this separation marks a strategic change for the British team, backed by industrialist Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Ben Ainslie, considered one of the greatest sailors of his generation, expressed his disappointment at this unexpected decision, underlining his commitment to continuing his adventure in top-level sailing. For its part, INEOS Britannia has confirmed its commitment to continuing the campaign by strengthening its collaboration with the Mercedes F1 technical team, and by appointing Dave Endean to head up the project.
This breakthrough opens up new prospects for the sailor, who has already announced the launch of the Athena Racing team, dedicated to future editions of the America's Cup, with women's and youth teams competing in ancillary events.
The future of the British challenge remains uncertain, but one thing is certain: the road to the 38? America's Cup promises to be full of challenges and twists and turns.
SVR-Lazartigue: perseverance and determination for the Jules Verne Trophy
The SVR-Lazartigue trimaran decided to return to port after 12 hours at sea on her third attempt at the Jules Verne Trophy, symbolizing a challenge where perseverance is essential. This legendary event has never been an immediate success, as evidenced by the many attempts made by sailing legends before their success: Bruno Peyron tried five times before triumphing in 2002, Olivier de Kersauson seven times before his victory in 2004, and Franck Cammas had to persevere four times before setting the record in 2010.
True to its strategy, the SVR-Lazartigue team remains undaunted, working hard to optimize the boat, monitor the weather conditions and return at the right moment. Each return is a learning opportunity with a view to the ultimate goal.
Paul Meilhat, 5? of the Vendée Globe after a race marked by resilience
Les Sables d'Olonne, January 24, 2025 âeuros This Friday at 11:40 am, after 74 days, 22 hours and 38 minutes of racing, Paul Meilhat, skipper of Biotherm, crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe, finishing 5th in this 10th edition. At 42 years of age, the sailor has put in a remarkable performance, testifying to his resilience and ability to overcome adversity.
Meilhat's course was marked by technical challenges, including the breakage of his forestay swivel in the Atlantic, which he managed to repair by climbing the mast in difficult conditions. This round-the-world race takes on a special flavor for the skipper, who was forced to retire in 2016 when he occupied a promising 3? place.
Winner of the Route du Rhum 2018 and IMOCA Champion in 2021, Meilhat confirms his status as one of the best skippers of his generation. Despite his fatigue, he expresses great pride in having brought his boat all the way to Les Sables d'Olonne after an exceptional human and sporting adventure.
Jérémie Beyou, 4? of the Vendée Globe after 74 days at sea
Les Sables d'Olonne, January 24, 2025 âeuros The skipper of Charal, Jérémie Beyou, crossed the Vendée Globe finish line this Friday at 01:58, taking an honorable 4th place after a circumnavigation of 74 days, 12 hours, 56 minutes and 54 seconds. He finishes one week after Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil), 3áµ of the race.
Faced with testing weather conditions, with 25 knots of wind and 2-meter high waves, Beyou was able to withstand the vagaries of the oceans, despite several incidents of damage, including a broken mainsail hook and foil jack. His tenacity enabled him to stay with the leading pack and to fight hard all the way to the Brazilian coast, where he battled to hold on to his position.
At the age of 48, Jérémie Beyou signs his 2? best performance on the legendary solo round-the-world race, following his 3? place in 2016, confirming his regularity on the event. He is now preparing to celebrate his arrival with the traditional ascent of the Les Sables d'Olonne channel at midday, to a standing ovation from the public.
France's Olympic Sailing Team: a 2025 calendar focused on performance
The year 2025 marks a turning point for the French Olympic Sailing Team, as it begins its journey towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. For four years, athletes from the ten Olympic series will compete against the world's best sailors with a single goal: to hoist France onto the international podium.
New this year is the "Sailing Grand Slam", an ambitious international circuit launched in collaboration with World Sailing, which will bring together the most prestigious regattas in Olympic sailing. This format aims to offer a harmonized calendar and top-level competitions for the world's best athletes.
Among the season's must-see events:
- Trofeo Princesa Sofia (Spain) March 28-April 5
- French Olympic Week (Hyères) April 19-26
- Kiel Week (Germany) June 21-29
- Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta (United States) July 12-20
- Dutch Water Week (Netherlands) September 17-21
In addition to these benchmark events, there are continental and world championships in each series, making for a dense and demanding program for French sailors.
Actual group buys Gitana 17 and enters a new era of ocean racing
Actual Group announces purchase of Gitana 17 actual's new boat, the famous Maxi Trimaran Edmond de Rothschild, marks a new stage in its sporting commitment. This high-performance boat, synonymous with innovation and excellence, will enable Actual to aim for the heights of the Ultim class, with assertive ambitions.
Under the leadership of young skipper Anthony Marchand, Actual is preparing for a year of transition and preparation in 2025. The trimaran's launch is scheduled for the summer, with the Transat Café l'Or (formerly Transat Jacques Vabre) in its sights, starting on October 26 from Le Havre.
Samuel Tual, Chairman of Actual Group, underlines the importance of this acquisition, which illustrates the values shared by the company and sport: teamwork, rigor and performance. This ambitious project is in keeping with Team Gitana's heritage, paying tribute to past successes and opening the way to new challenges.
With this acquisition, Actual group confirms its determination to play a leading role in the world of ocean sailing and to achieve ever higher sporting goals.
Sailing Generation, an innovative project to bring sailing into a new era
A wind of novelty blows over sailing with the launch of Sailing Generation an unprecedented structure bringing together the talents of ocean racing and Olympic sailing. Spearheaded by Franck Cammas, an exceptional sailor, this ambitious project aims to unite skills and resources with a view to the major events to come: The Ocean Race 2027, the Los Angeles Olympic Games 2028 and the Vendée Globe 2028.
Alongside Franck Cammas, three leading figures in the world of sailing are taking part: Laser world champion Jean-Baptiste Bernaz, 470 and 49er specialist Jérémie Mion, and double 470 world champion Paola Amar. Together, they aim to create a center of technological and human excellence, bringing together offshore and inshore expertise.
The project is based on strong values of transmission, innovation and inclusiveness, offering partner companies a unique opportunity to join forces in a unifying, high-performance initiative. A call for sponsors is launched to support this collective adventure, where high performance meets team spirit and the sharing of experience.
Next steps: the design of a latest-generation IMOCA for the Vendée Globe and intensive preparation of sailors for the 2028 Games.
Australians triumph at ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Auckland
The Australian team led by Tom Slingsby brilliantly won the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix on Sunday, dominating the whole weekend against the Spanish and British teams. Under a new "Super Sunday" format comprising three fleet races followed by a grand final, the Australians confirmed their supremacy despite difficult weather conditions.
Hosts New Zealand just missed out on a place on the podium after narrowly missing out on qualification for the final. The Canadians were forced to withdraw after Billy Gooderham was injured, while the French were not lined up due to a delay in the preparation of their F50.
With over 25,000 spectators in Auckland, SailGP continues to attract a growing audience. Emirates Great Britain now leads the provisional overall standings ahead of New Zealand and Australia. Next stop: the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, scheduled for February 8 and 9, 2025.
Défi Wind Gruissan 2025: registration opens on January 15
The Défi Wind Gruissan, the world's largest windsurfing gathering, opens registration for its 23? edition, to be held from May 23 to June 1??, 2025. More than 2,000 participants, amateurs and professionals alike, are expected to tackle a 40 km course in the disciplines of Windsurfing, Kiteboarding and Wingfoil. The 2024 edition brought together competitors from 50 countries and generated 11 million online views, confirming the event's international reach. In addition to the competition, there will be a 7,000 m² brand village and festive entertainment.
Tour du Finistère à la Voile 2025: heading for the 39? edition
The 39? edition of the Tour du Finistère à la Voile, a flagship event in the Breton nautical calendar, will be held from July 28 to August 2, 2025, bringing together around 100 boats on a 190 nautical mile course between Morlaix and Port-La-Forêt.
Organized by the Comité départemental de voile du Finistère, with the support of the Département du Finistère, the race is open to sailboats from 7 to 14 meters and follows the rules of the Fédération Française de Voile (FFV).
The route, rich in challenges and spectacular scenery, will include five major stages:
- Morlaix - Aber Wrac'h (July 28),
- Aber Wrac'h - Aber Ildut (July 29),
- Aber Ildut - Douarnenez (July 30),
- Douarnenez - Plobannalec-Lesconil (July 31 âeuros 1áµÊ³ August),
- Plobannalec-Lesconil - Port-La-Forêt (August 2).
Competitors will tackle emblematic passages such as the Raz de Sein, the Glénan islands and the pointe de Pen-Hir, before concluding the race in La Forêt-Fouesnant, an emblematic port for competitive sailing.
In addition to the sporting aspect, the event promises a host of entertainment and convivial moments, paying tribute to Finistère's rich maritime heritage.
