An edition refocused on the Atlantic arc
The Tour Voile 2025 adopts a condensed fifteen-day structure, with a course linking four emblematic stopovers on the west coast of Southern Brittany: Larmor-Plage, Royan, Pornichet and Port-la-Forêt. This choice of route follows in the footsteps of previous editions, offering a coherent geographical progression conducive to tactical navigation.
The first stopover in Larmor-Plage coincides with the town's centenary, from June 25 to 28. The crews will then head for Royan (June 29 âeuros July 1), Pornichet (2 âeuros July 5), before finishing in Port-la-Forêt (6 âeuros July 12), a mecca for ocean racing.
24-hour offshore courses as a basis for learning
The format chosen for this edition is based on four long 24-hour legs, between each port, interspersed with sequences of coastal regattas. This choice is designed to reinforce the training dimension for young sailors, particularly in the fundamentals of life at sea: sleep management, weather anticipation, autonomy with a small crew.
This hybrid model enables sailors aged 16 to 26 to gain experience in ocean racing, while at the same time taking part in Grand Prix-type events in the bay, which are more accessible to the public.
Figaro Bénéteau 3: a demanding one-design, renewed until 2029
The Figaro Bénéteau 3 will continue to support the Tour Voile for the next few editions, with a long-term commitment until 2029. This choice structures the regatta around a high-performance one-design, already used on the Figaro circuit and recognized for its seaworthy qualities.
The boat, equipped with foils and a modern deck layout, forces crews to adopt precise, optimized navigation. This technical support, coupled with an educational framework, makes the Tour Voile a logical step towards professional ocean racing.
A regatta designed for young people and gender diversity
The Tour Voile retains its strong societal orientation: each crew must have at least one female sailor on board at every stage. This rule has become a competition standard. It structures crews right from the start, helping to bring about a lasting change in regatta practices.
The aim is to build a race that reflects the diversity of the riders, while maintaining the high standards of the top level.
A tense budgetary framework, but mobilization intact
The organizers of the Tour Voile 2025 have had to deal with the growing financial constraints of local authorities. As a result, the route had to be refocused and the number of stopovers limited, without compromising the sporting quality of the program.
The partner towns confirmed their commitment, buoyed by the visibility of the event and the spin-offs for their marinas. Local integration, public events and the promotion of sailing are among the levers identified to maintain institutional support.
Port-La-Forêt, a final between offshore and Grand Prix
The final stopover in Port-la-Forêt will focus on a double ambition: two new 24-hour offshore races for the crews, followed by three days of technical regattas in the bay. This format should enable competitors to be judged on their versatility and endurance.
Port-la-Forêt, renowned as a center of excellence in ocean racing, will be the ideal setting for this final phase of the competition, which is both demanding and symbolic for the young racers.
The Tour Voile 2025 confirms the transformation begun in 2023: more compact, more instructive, more inclusive. This format meets the expectations of a new generation of sailors in search of meaning and progression. In a sector undergoing restructuring, this race could well inspire other educational regatta formats in the future, provided the commitment of the regions and training structures is maintained.
