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Transat Paprec 2025, a springboard to excellence
A veritable revelation of talent, the Transat Paprec continues to write the history of ocean racing. For over 30 years, this double-handed, one-design transatlantic race has seen some of the biggest names in Vendée Globe racing pass through its paces, from Michel Desjoyeaux to Charlie Dalin. In 2025, for the second consecutive edition, it will be raced in mixed doubles, a new format adopted in 2022 at the instigation of its title partner, Paprec.
The grand departure will be on April 20 from Concarneau, bound for Saint-Barthélemy, for an Atlantic crossing where the best figarists will compete on equal terms. Before that, the village will open its doors on April 15, and the official presentation of the participants will take place at a press conference on March 20. The first duos are expected to arrive between May 7 and 8.
With a strong field and a demanding course, this 17? edition promises a breathless regatta where the first chapters of future Vendée Globe legends may be played out.
Cole Brauer joins Malizia and aims for the Vendée Globe 2028
First American woman to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation, Cole Brauer breaks new ground by joining Boris Herrmann's Team Malizia . At the age of 30, she became co-skipper of the IMOCA Malizia alongside Will Harris, a key step towards her ultimate goal: the Vendée Globe 2028.
Revealed at the Global Solo Challenge 2023-2024, where she took second place after 130 days of sailing, Cole Brauer has distinguished herself by her determination and popularity, boasting over 480,000 followers on Instagram. Her 2025 season will be marked by 3 major competitions: the Course des Caps (June 29, 2,000 miles around the British Isles), the Admiral's Cup (July) and The Ocean Race Europe (August), crossing European waters as far as the Mediterranean.
Ocean Fifty Series 2025: A season of competition and sustainable commitment
The Ocean Fifty Series 2025 Championship promises to be an exciting one, with the arrival of new skippers, partners and innovative projects . Limited to 11 boats, this year's fleet welcomes a brand-new trimaran from the Neo Sailing Technologies shipyard, entrusted to Emmanuel Le Roch and Basile Bourgnon under the Edenred colors. The ex-Primonial, the 2024 winner, becomes Inter Invest with Matthieu Perraut and Sébastien Rogues, while Anne-Claire Le Berre becomes the only female skipper in the class aboard Upwind by MerConcept.
The 2025 championship, resolutely turned towards the Atlantic, will include 4 Acts:
- Act 1 - Saint-Malo (June 10-15): Technical and coastal courses close to the Breton rocks.
- Act 2 - Concarneau (June 24-29): Grand Prix in the form of a CSR laboratory to test eco-responsible practices.
- Act 3 - Rolex Fastnet Race (July 26): Double-handed race, qualifier for the Transat Café l'Or.
- Act 4 - Transat Café l'Or (October 26): Le Havre - Fort-de-France crossing, final challenge of the season.
On the environmental front, the class continues its transition with an eco-design study financed by four shipowners, aimed at reducing the impact of trimaran construction and operation. The Act de Concarneau will also be the scene of societal initiatives to promote the place of women in the seafaring professions.
The season kicks off in May with preparatory events such as the Tour de Belle-Île (May 9-11) and the Armen Race (May 29-June 1), promising a spectacle as committed as it is exceptional.
McIntyre Mini Globe Race starts in Antigua!
On February 23, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. (local time), the first round-the-world race in miniature sailboats will start in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua. Organized by the National Sailing Academy and orchestrated by Australian adventurer Don McIntyre, the McIntyre Mini Globe Race (MGR) brings together 15 solo sailors from 8 countries aboard their ALMA Globe 580s, hand-built 5.8-meter plywood sailboats.
After a 3,000-mile qualifying crossing from the Canaries, these intrepid skippers are about to sail 26,000 miles around the globe. Their route will take them from the Atlantic to the Pacific via Panama, with stopovers in Fiji, Australia, Cape Town (South Africa) and Recife (Brazil), before returning to Antigua in March 2026.
The event also marks the official launch of the Globe Yacht Club (GYC), dedicated to sailors who have completed a circumnavigation of the globe. At the welcome reception on February 17, His Excellency Rodney Williams, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, received the first GYC flag and a commemorative plaque, symbolizing Antigua's anchorage in the world of ocean racing.
Prior to the start, the skippers shared their passion with local children and disabled sailors during a sea outing, demonstrating the race's spirit of inclusion. Among the participants, American Joshua Kali (#157 Skookum) and 71-year-old Australian veteran Eric Marsh are set to take on this extreme challenge, ready to make sailing history.
The start, which can be seen from Pigeon Beach, promises to be a unique spectacle as the yachts parade under the foghorns before setting off on their adventure. Follow the race live on Facebook and YouTube from 10 a.m. (local time).
Horizon 29 in the water, Elodie Bonafous sets course for the Vendée Globe 2028
IMOCA Horizon 29 launched in Brittany to the applause of a passionate team, marking the start of Elodie Bonafous' preparation for the Vendée Globe 2028. Designed by MerConcept on the basis of Charlie Dalin's IMOCA Macif Santé Prévoyance, this latest-generation boat combines speed, robustness and technological innovations to take on the oceans.
A talented sailor from the Filière Bretagne CMB, Elodie Bonafous has taken a decisive step by joining the IMOCA class. Supported by the Groupe Quéguiner, a long-standing partner of ocean racing, she will begin a program of major competitions this year, including the Transat Café L'Or 2025 and the Route du Rhum 2026, with a view to the Vendée Globe 2028.
Around her, a team of experts âeuros from Goulven Le Clech (Technical Manager) to Jimmy Le Baut (Boat Captain) âeuros oversee the optimization of the boat and its preparation. Based in Port-la-Forêt, this Breton stable embodies the ambition to perform at the highest level and to make Elodie Bonafous one of the legends of the Vendée Globe.
The 59? Snim rides the Olympic wave in Marseille
The 59? edition of the Semaine Nautique Internationale de la Méditerranée (Snim) will be held from April 18 to 21, 2025 in the harbor of Marseille. Buoyed by the energy of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, this Grade 3 competition will bring together the best Mediterranean crews in both IRC or SER-rated monohulls and One-designs. The event will count towards the IRC Mediterranean Crew and Duet Championships.
This year's Snim will take place almost a month later than the previous edition, offering potentially milder weather conditions. The high point of the weekend, the main race, open to IRC 0, 1, 2, 3 and Duo classes, can start as early as Friday April 18 at 3pm, or be postponed depending on the weather. With sunset half an hour later than last year, only the fastest boats will be able to cross the finish line before nightfall.
Whether at sea or on land, the conviviality and passion for sailing will be on display, consolidating the reputation of this not-to-be-missed event organized by the Société Nautique de Marseille.
Grand Prix de l'École Navale 2025: A year of new features
The 24? edition of the Grand Prix de l'École Navale (GPEN) will be held from May 29 to 31, 2025, during the Ascension weekend. Spread over six racing zones between Brest, Crozon-Morgat, Lanvéoc, Roscanvel and Camaret, this competition will bring together around 17 classes of one-design boats, including the emblematic J80s, Open 570s and Muscadets. New for 2025, an Intersérie Quillards de Sport fleet will compete for the title in Crozon-Morgat Bay.
The event will also highlight accessibility, with handisport competitions (MiniJi, Hansa 303, Neo495) organized at the Moulin Blanc harbor in Brest. In terms of innovation, the spectacular Easy to Fly flying catamarans (ETF 26) will be making their first appearance, joining Waszp and Birdy Fish in a breathtaking show near the École navale. At the same time, ocean racing will be represented by the Figaro Class, back in Camaret for a preparatory event for the Tour Voile.
Supported by the French Sailing Federation and local authorities, the GPEN 2025 promises three days of intense competition and excitement on the water. Registration will open in March on the official website.
Time for the second edition of the Toulon Provence Regatta 2025
The second edition of the Toulon Provence Regatta will be held from May 22 to 25, 2025 in the Grande Rade de Toulon. Organized by the Club Nautique de la Marine à Toulon and Twelve Med Events, this regatta will mark the first leg of the 56? Coupe de France du Yacht Club de France and will bring together 12 mJI class yachts from around the world. New this year: regattas for autonomous model sailboats, sponsored by the Direction Générale de l'Armement, will also be on the program.
In addition to the races, which can be seen from the Vignettes nautical stadium and Fort Saint-Louis, the event will be punctuated by on-shore activities, including sailboat tours (bookings required) and free nautical baptisms on Saturday May 24 on the Mourillon beaches. Over 150 volunteers are needed to help organize the event. An information meeting will be held on February 27 at the Médiathèque Chalucet in Toulon, and by videoconference via the official website.
