Pornichet Select 2025: 90 solo sailors set sail for a decisive challenge
A not-to-be-missed event in the Mini Class, the Pornichet Select returns to Pornichet next week with a much-anticipated 2025 edition. 90 skippers, including 12 women and 10 nationalities, will set off single-handed on their Mini 6.50s, in a qualifying race for the Mini Transat.
Entries include regulars such as Julien Letissier (proto), Quentin Mocudet (series) and Yves Le Blevec, as well as the youngest competitor Madalena Casanova (19) and the oldest competitor Gilles Buekenhout (62). The start will be given on May 3 at 1pm, preceded by numerous events open to the public from April 30 at the marina.
Legallais joins the CIC Normandy Channel Race for a 5th season
A loyal partner of the CIC Normandy Channel Race for the past 5 years, Legallais is renewing its commitment for the 16th edition, which will set off from Caen on May 25, 2025. A strong regional support for this 1,000-mile double-handed race, which has become a fixture on the Class40 circuit.
Normandy skipper Fabien Delahaye, winner in 2024, is challenging for his title again alongside Pierre Leboucher. An experienced duo ready to take on a tactical and committed course between the English Channel, Fastnet and Isle of Wight, against a fleet already 30 boats strong.
Les Dames de Saint-Tropez 2025, 3 days of 100% women's regattas
From April 25 to 27, 2025, over 150 women sailors will set sail aboard the finest classic yachts for the Dames de Saint-Tropez, the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez's flagship regatta. Led by an all-female race committee, they will compete in the Gulf of Tropez to launch the traditional yachting season.
Among the boats in the running: Tuiga, flagship of the Yacht Club de Monaco, Thea, doyenne of the 12mR, and Rose Joan and Irène VIII, veritable jewels of maritime heritage. A regatta of heritage, elegance and transmission, with all-female crews and sailing figures such as Catherine Chabaud and Saskia Klark.
Sodebo Ultim 3, heading for a double-handed and shared 2025 season
After an ambitious winter refit, Sodebo Ultim 3 will be back in the water at the beginning of June for a 2025 season focused on double-handed sailing, with Thomas Coville surrounded by Benjamin Schwartz and Léonard Legrand. Three major sporting events are scheduled: the Rolex Fastnet Race (July), the 24H Ultim (September) and the Transat Café L'Or (October).
Before that, the giant trimaran will set off on a tour of the West of France, with stopovers open to the public in La Rochelle, Arcachon and Bayonne. A short but intense season of performance, transmission and innovation, to showcase a unique sporting and human project.
Tanguy Le Turquais moves to Ocean Fifty with Erwan Le Draoulec
Change of course for Tanguy Le Turquais. After the Vendée Globe, the skipper embarks on Ocean Fifty and forms a new duo with Erwan Le Draoulec. Together, they will be flying the flag for the Lazare association, which promotes shared accommodation between young working people and former homeless people.
Aboard the former Réalites, which will become pink and black, Tanguy and Erwan will set off on the Ocean Fifty Series, the Transat Café L'OR 2025, and the Route du Rhum 2026, with a clear objective: to make the invisible more visible, both at sea and on land.
The Caraïbos Lacanau Pro 2025 brings forward its dates and fine-tunes its game
The Caraïbos Lacanau Pro, the doyenne of professional surfing competitions in France, returns from July 7 to 13, 2025 with a new dynamic. A strategic advance in the calendar, an increase in the QS 2 000, and an organization now led by the town of Lacanau with the Côte Ouest agency.
Always true to its DNA, the event will combine surfing, skateboarding, music and local involvement, with initiations, contests, concerts, an associative village and festive evenings. New events and a powerful poster symbolize the ambition of a 44th edition between heritage and renewal.
Baltic Watches, Official Timekeeper of the Transat Café L'Or 2025
French watch brand Baltic Watches becomes official timekeeper of the Transat Café L'or Le Havre Normandie 2025. This is a first for the company, which is designing a limited-edition watch dedicated to ocean racing, and will be offering a copy to the winners of each class. Baltic will also be supporting a Class40 crew, led by Lomano Takasi.
Yaka Paddle Festival, 800 paddlers expected in Larmor-Plage on August 30 and 31
The Yaka Paddle Festival returns for a 4th edition on August 30 and 31, 2025 at Larmor-Plage in Morbihan. The biggest Stand Up Paddle event in France, the festival will bring together 800 participants for 6 races, including 2 legs of the SUP Race Brittany Championship.
Born of a desire to support children with disabilities, the event is intended to be 100% solidarity-based, with all proceeds going to charity and family projects. 2025 target: raise 20,000 euros.
The atmosphere is guaranteed both on land and on the water, with floating concerts, inclusive entertainment, food trucks, and a possible record number of sailors to beat. 4 prestigious sponsors will be on hand: Olivia Piana, Damien Seguin, Faustine Merret and singer Voyou.
First Salon du Foil in Serre-Ponçon, set course for gliding on June 28 and 29
On June 28 and 29, 2025, Savines-le-Lac will host the 1st edition of the Salon du Foil à Serre-Ponçon, a first-of-its-kind event dedicated to this fast-growing discipline. Organized by the Le Foil à Serre-Ponçon association, the event will bring together enthusiasts and the curious to test equipment, watch demonstrations, take part in initiations and take part in a spectacular pumpfoil contest.
Spearheaded by two young locals, Jade and Maël Pavie, the event is based on a region naturally conducive to board sports. With its regular thermal breezes, water temperatures of 20°C in summer and renowned spots, Lac de Serre-Ponçon is a leading destination for foiling. Supported by numerous public and associative partners, the show aims to become a new highlight of mountain water sports.
Ultim Class unveils ambitious timetable to 2028
The Ultim Class unveils a rich and innovative program for the next four seasons. Between great classics, new formats and records to beat, the giants of the seas continue their quest for excellence.
Upcoming highlights include the double-handed Transat Café l'Or (autumn 2025), the legendary single-handed Route du Rhum (2026), and the return of the Arkea Ultim Challenge for a round-the-world race in 2028. The Mediterranean also enters the dance with the Odyssée Ultim, a new race starting from Antibes in 2026, while a project for a Course des Caps starting from Boulogne-sur-Mer is being studied for 2027.
At the same time, the Ultims take part in popular events such as the Tour de Belle-Île, the ArMen Race, the Rolex Fastnet Race and the 24H Ultim in Lorient. Not to mention the ongoing hunt for records, including the prestigious Jules Verne Trophy.
A calendar worthy of these flying trimarans, combining performance, innovation and openness to the general public.
Défi Wind 2025: Gruissan, world capital of gliding
From May 23rd to June 1st, Gruissan will host the 25th edition of the Défi Wind, which has become the world's largest gathering of wind-driven board sports. The event will bring together windsurfing, wingfoil and kiteboarding, with 2,500 riders of 40 nationalities expected on the starting line. Records broken: 1,350 windsurfers and 550 wingfoilers.
A real phenomenon, the Défi offers a unique format: mass races of up to 40 km, open to pros and amateurs alike. In the village, some 50 exhibitors will be hosting an open-air show where people can test, exchange and innovate live.
Supported by the Ville de Gruissan, the Région Occitanie and the Département de l'Aude, this year's event welcomes Bonaire as a partner destination. More than just a competition, the Wind Challenge has become a true collective movement for the sport.
A successful 47th edition of the Spi Ouest-France draws to a close
The Spi Ouest-France Banque Populaire Grand Ouest 2025 drew to a close on Monday in La Trinité-sur-Mer. Nearly 2,345 sailors competed in 164 races over four days, in a variety of conditions, under the guidance of the new race director, Gilles Bricout.
Professionals and amateurs shared the same stretch of water, in a sporting and festive atmosphere, supported by volunteers from the Société Nautique de La Trinité-sur-Mer and the Fédération Française de Voile. The organizers achieved their goal: to thrill the public and the crews with this now cult event.
Next start: April 3-6, 2026 for the 48th edition.
Snim 2025, Marseille offers a solar and committed edition
An intense and sunny 59th Snim draws to a close! Organized by the Société Nautique de Marseille, the classic event brought together nearly a hundred boats for four days of competitive racing in ideal conditions on both roadsides.
In the North Harbour, the 0-1 IRC duels ended in a tie for victory Lisa R italy's Ker 43, ahead of Team Guenifey . In IRC 2, Sloughi from CN Palavas, while in IRC 3, Weekend Millionaire (Yves Ginoux) wins for the 13th time. Doubles, Ilogan (Pierre Perdoux) put in another fine performance despite an onboard injury. Special mention goes to JPK 10.10, which dominates the Duo ranking.
In the South Harbour, the JPK Expresso guy Claeys wins IRC 4, ahead of Raging Bee and Happy Few Two . Chez les Grand Surprise, Louis Dreyfus Travocéan leads the way with panache. The Trophée Méditerranée Voile Entreprise goes to Crêperie Triskell Marseille .
Perfect conditions, an unforgettable night race and a warm atmosphere both on and off the water: the Snim confirms its position as the benchmark for IRC racing in the Mediterranean. See you in 2026 for the 60th anniversary!
Transat Paprec 2025, a committed race from the very first miles
Setting out from Concarneau at 1:02pm on Sunday April 20, the 19 mixed duos entered in the Transat Paprec got off to a spectacular start under overcast skies, but in manageable conditions (10-15 knots from the northwest). After a lively coastal course, marked by the surprise lead taken by Cindy Brin and Thomas André (Cap St Barth), the fleet quickly headed off towards Saint-Barthélemy.
From the very first hours of racing, the regatta proved to be intense, with the Figaro Beneteau 3s in close contact in the Bay of Biscay. An initial gap was created after rounding Cape Finisterre: Laure Galley and Kévin Bloch (DMG MORI Academy), Martin Le Pape and Mathilde Géron (Demain) and Davy Beaudart and Julie Simon (Hellowork) took advantage of the Portuguese trade winds to break away slightly in front.
On the water, the atmosphere is studious but joyful, between meticulous maneuvers, small on-board mishaps and stolen moments (moonrise, grapefruit breakfast and drone over the spinnakers). Youngsters Tiphaine Rideau and Pier-Paolo Dean (Banques Alimentaires), the race's youngest competitors, are holding their own despite damage to their jib.
The only notable incident was a collision with a UFO, which forced the duo Lola Billy - Corentin Horeau (Région Bretagne - CMB Océane) to make a technical stopover in Cascais to change a rudder. They resumed racing on Thursday afternoon.
At the end of this first week, the fleet is now heading for Madeira and the West Indies, carried along by a well-established north-easterly flow. The first boats are expected to reach Saint-Barthélemy around May 7. The match remains wide open, as does the race which, once again, holds all its promises.
