Transat Paprec: Concarneau celebrates before the start on April 20
For the 17th edition of the Transat Paprec, Concarneau is transformed into a veritable port of celebration from April 15 to 20. The famous double-handed transatlantic race, contested aboard Figaro Bénéteau 3 boats, will bring together 19 duos on the starting line, with a lively village starting on Tuesday, for six days of sharing the sea, music and discoveries.
Concerts, exhibitions, sailing lessons, children's activities, tastings of Breton and West Indian specialities, boat tours... The Transat Paprec village celebrates the link between Concarneau and Saint-Barthélemy, the two flagship territories of this crossing. It's also a great opportunity to get up close to the skippers and watch their final preparations before the start, scheduled for Sunday April 20 at 1:02pm.
A rich week combining sport, territory and conviviality, before giving way to the open sea and adventure.
Pierre Le Roy aims for the Vendée Globe 2028 with a committed, collective project
Pierre Le Roy, winner of the Mini Transat 2021, is embarking on a new challenge: taking part in the Vendée Globe 2028. On the strength of his experience in the Mini 6.50 and IMOCA class alongside Benjamin Ferré, he plans to take part in this legendary solo race, non-stop and without assistance. His project is based on the acquisition of an IMOCA foiling yacht, which he hopes to prepare with a close-knit team and partners who share his values. Pierre emphasizes the importance of teamwork and human commitment in this ambitious adventure. He is currently looking for support to make this project a reality, and invites interested parties to contact him via his official website.
Titouan Pilliard on the Route du Rhum 2026 with USE IT AGAIN for YOUTH and Forvis Mazars
At just 19 years of age, Titouan Pilliard will set off on the Route du Rhum 2026 at the helm of a 52-foot monohull renovated according to the principles of the circular economy. Supported by Forvis Mazars, official sponsor of the USE IT AGAIN for YOUTH program, he will probably be the youngest competitor in this edition, entered in the Rhum Mono category.
Son of navigator Romain Pilliard, himself a Rhum Multi competitor on the trimaran USE IT AGAIN titouan is both a sportsman and an activist, surrounded by a community of ambassadors aged 16 to 26, all committed to protecting the ocean and promoting the ecological transition.
In parallel with his preparations, the young skipper is stepping up his public appearances and will be taking part in the Change Now event, from April 24 to 26 in Paris, to share his commitment.
This intergenerational project aims to raise awareness by example, and to demonstrate that ocean racing can also rhyme with sustainability and transmission.
SailGP: Rio leg cancelled to repair F50 wings
Scheduled for May 3 and 4, the Brazilian leg of the SailGP in Rio de Janeiro has been cancelled. The reason: a defect detected in some of the F50 catamarans' wings, following the collapse of the Australian team's sail in San Francisco last March.
Analyses carried out by SailGP engineers revealed a gluing problem in the internal structure of the wings, which could affect their integrity. To preserve the safety of the athletes, the championship management has decided to suspend the event in order to ensure repairs in time for the resumption in New York (June 7-8).
Russell Coutts, CEO of SailGP, described the decision as "necessary". All tickets will be refunded, and a rescheduling of the Carioca event is being considered. The 2026 calendar, which should include Rio, will be unveiled shortly.
Plastimo Lorient Mini 6.50: sunny start for a highly formative edition
The Plastimo Lorient Mini 6.50 got off to a spectacular start in Lorient Bay on Thursday, April 10! In bright sunshine and a well-established 15-knot breeze, the 73 mixed duos set off at 12pm for 250 miles of racing, with tactical passages and varied conditions.
In both the âeuros prototypes and âeuros series classes, the battle promises to be intense. Among the foilers, " Nicomatic âeuros Petit Bateau the defending champion led by Benoît Marie, quickly made a name for itself. In the series, Japan's Naho Takahara, paired with Benoît Hantzperg, got the ball rolling before being overtaken by " AFP Groupe Biocombustibles .
This 11th edition, organized by Lorient Grand Large, confirms its status as an essential regatta to launch the Mini Atlantic season. The compulsory mix of participants, new profiles, fine conditions and demanding course make it an ideal training ground, especially for youngsters and newcomers to the Mini Class, such as Lila Schmid (15) from Switzerland, who is racing with her father.
Expected to arrive in Lorient on Friday evening, the competitors will have to contend with sustained reaching, près, soft phases and tight transitions âeuros a perfect cocktail to test the binÃ'mes and their boats just a few months ahead of the Mini Transat.
Olympic Games: longboarding rejected for Los Angeles 2028, but the ISA sets its sights on Brisbane 2032
The International Surfing Association (ISA) has expressed its disappointment at the IOC's decision not to include longboarding in the program for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Despite this decision, the international body remains determined to promote the discipline for the Brisbane Games in 2032.
Already excluded from Tokyo and Paris, the historic sport of longboarding, although well established in international competitions, notably at the Pan-American Games, failed to convince once again. Nevertheless, the ISA sees this stage as an essential part of its long Olympic journey.
"Finding the perfect wave takes time. Patience, passion and perseverance are part of our DNA," recalls Fernando Aguerre, President of the ISA, who is confident of future recognition.
Shortboard surfing, meanwhile, will remain on the LA28 program, but without any increase in the number of athletes, another request rejected by the IOC in the name of quota balance and parity.
Sail Tahiti takes over the Pacific Puddle Jump: a new lease of life for the famous transpacific rally
From January 2026, Sail Tahiti will be relaunching the Pacific Puddle Jump, the legendary transpacific rally linking the American coast to French Polynesia. Created in 1997, this event has already brought together over 4,000 yachts from all over the world.
Under the impetus of David and Nikki Allouch, founders of Sail Tahiti, this crossing of the Pacific Ocean is enriched by enhanced support: weather monitoring, technical assistance, routing, pre-departure preparation, educational content, as well as advice on exploring the archipelagos while respecting the environment. Three formulas will be offered, from free registration to a premium package with concierge service.
A new website and community tools (Instagram, Seapeople) will enable sailors to better prepare themselves and forge links before and during the crossing. Partnerships with nautical brands and ocean racing specialists are also in the pipeline.
This new chapter in the Pacific Puddle Jump aims to attract a new generation of sailors, and strengthen exchanges between yachtsmen and local populations in Polynesia.
Cape Horn Hall of Fame 2024: last days to nominate your heroes of the Deep South
As the six giant trimarans in the Arkea Ultim Challenge set sail from Brest for a high-speed, single-handed circumnavigation of the globe, the International Association of Cape Horners (IACH) reminds ocean racing enthusiasts that there's still time to nominate their favorite sailor for the 2024 edition of the Cape Horn Hall of Fame.
Names already in the running include Kirsten Neuschäfer, the first woman to win a solo circumnavigation (Golden Globe Race 2023), as well as Paul Cayard, Loïck and Bruno Peyron, and Antarctic circumnavigation record-holder Fyodor Konyukhov. Nominations are open until April 30 on the association's website.
The jury, chaired by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, will select 20 candidates, six of whom will be inducted at a ceremony scheduled for November in Les Sables-d'Olonne, during the start week of the Vendée Globe 2024-2025.
Since its creation, the Hall of Fame has honored the major figures in Cape Horn sailing, including Ellen MacArthur, Skip Novak and Franck Cammas. It is housed at the Cape Horners Yacht Club in Les Sables-d'Olonne, a new rallying point for the legends of the Deep South.
French Short Boat Championships 2025: the start of a new cycle for French rowing
From April 11 to 13, Lac de l'Uby in Cazaubon hosts the French Short Boat Championships 2025, an edition with high symbolic value for French rowing. Indeed, this major event marks the opening of a new Olympic cycle, just a few months after the Paris 2024 Games.
With the recent arrival of Italy's Antonio Maurogiovanni at the head of the French teams, the event takes on the appearance of a full-scale test for rowers seeking a place in the national teams. A number of Olympians and Paralympians will be taking part, including Hugo Boucheron, Claire Bové, Emma Lunatti and Margot Boulet.
Events kick off on Friday with the qualifying rounds, followed by the quarter-finals and semi-finals on Saturday. The A finals, scheduled for Sunday from 9:00 a.m., will be broadcast live on the French Rowing Federation's YouTube channel.
Trofeo Princesa Sofia 2025: Fischer and Péquin in gold, Mestre in bronze
The international Olympic sailing season resumed in Palma de Mallorca with the Trofeo Princesa Sofia 2025 the first stage of the brand new Sailing Grand Slam . The French shone, winning two medals in the process.
Reigning world champions Erwan Fischer and Clément Péquin win the 49er with authority, after a week of intense, hotly contested racing. "We were super consistent all week," enthuses Clément Péquin. This victory is the perfect start to their new Olympic campaign towards Los Angeles 2028.
Another fine performance from France: Adrien Mestre climbed to third place in the iQFOiL, after twenty demanding runs, culminating in a perfectly controlled final. "Today was really my day," he confides, satisfied with his first World Cup podium.
With 2 medals and 10 finalist boats, the French delegation finished 4th overall. Next rendezvous in Hyères, for the French Olympic Week (April 19-26), 2nd leg of the Sailing Grand Slam .
