Dramatic turn of events in the Course des Caps: VULNERABLE withdraws, suspense reignites as Boulogne approaches
There was a big twist on Friday in the Course des Caps: the crew of VULNERABLE, led by Thomas Ruyant, was forced to retire following serious damage to the mast foot during the night. While battling for victory with MACIF Santé Prévoyance, the boat secured the mast and motorboated towards Fraserburgh (Scotland). A major blow for one of the favorites, and a reshuffling of the cards at the head of the fleet.
Meanwhile, the racing remains intense: despite a fleet now spread out over more than 400 miles, the leaders slowed down by zones of calms could see their pursuers come back into the game, thanks to a more stable wind and advantageous trajectories. The North Sea, dotted with platforms, sandbanks and wind farms, still promises many pitfalls before the finish.
Conditions have been rough since the Orkney Islands, putting sailors to the test with chaotic seas and average speeds in excess of 20 knots. MACIF Santé Prévoyance leads the fleet, but nothing is decided yet: the final stretch promises to be strategic and committed, before an expected finish this Saturday between 1 and 4 pm in Boulogne-sur-Mer, where a lively village and a festive prize-giving ceremony await the crews.
Tour Voile 2025: Paprec by Normandy Inshore Program and Dunkerque-Kiloutou go head-to-head in a breathless mano a mano
Since its kick-off in Larmor-Plage, the 46th edition of the Tour Voile has lived up to all its promises: suspense, tactical twists and turns, and a fleet of young talents honed to maneuver the Figaro Beneteau 3s. And while Paprec by Normandy Inshore Program still leads the provisional overall standings (before jury), titleholder Dunkerque-Kiloutou has not said its last word.
Winner of the first Grande Course between Larmor-Plage and Royan, Paprec confirmed its consistency despite capricious weather conditions. In Pornichet, the northerners struck hard, winning three of the five legs of the Grand Prix and putting themselves back in the limelight, climbing back up the provisional rankings. The tension was ratcheted up a notch on the coastal course, where Nesse x Netman won under spinnaker after an intense battle.
Race after race, the battle at the front intensifies, in a format where consistency will be king. The next challenge for the crews is to maintain their focus on performance and the transmission of knowledge, the pillars of the Tour Voile Nouvelle Generation.
Team AMAALA unveils its crew for The Ocean Race Europe
Alan Roura has revealed the composition of his Swiss crew Team AMAALA for The Ocean Race Europe 2025, after two weeks of selection between Geneva and Lorient. From over 40 applications received, seven young Swiss sailors have been selected: three women (Jessica Berthoud, Rebecca Gmuer, Lucie De Gennes) and four men (Félix Oberle, Guillaume Rol, Mathis Bourgnon and Yann Burkhalter). They will join a trio of experienced co-skippers: Alan Roura, Simon Koster and New Zealander Conrad Colman.
This innovative project, focused on intergenerational transmission and diversity of profiles, is part of a drive to open up the world of IMOCA racing to new talent. Three weeks of intensive training will start on July 8, in preparation for the first leg of the race, scheduled to start on August 10 in Kiel, Germany.
Fabrice Amedeo and Andreas Baden reunite on Transat Café L'OR 2025
For his 7th participation in the Transat Café L'OR Le Havre Normandie, Fabrice Amedeo will embark German sailor Andreas Baden aboard the yacht FDJ UNITED - Wewise. Partners since their previous crossing in 2023, the two sailors are aiming for a fine performance among the daggerboard IMOCA boats, while conducting a new campaign of oceanographic measurements across the Atlantic. This project is at once sporting, scientific and profoundly human, marked by shared values around ocean preservation and the energy transition. Departure for Martinique on October 26.
Transat Café L'OR Le Havre Normandie 2025: a promising and committed 17th edition
On October 26, 73 boats and 146 skippers will set sail from Le Havre to Martinique for the 17th Transat Café L'OR Le Havre Normandie. Comprising 4 ULTIMs, 10 Ocean Fifties, 19 IMOCAs and 40 Class 40s, the entries for this year's race are rich in diversity, talent and ambition.
Highlights include the Laperche/Cammas duo on SVR Lazartigue in ULTIM, the Vauchel-Camus/Seguin reunion in Ocean Fifty, the Beccaria/Ruyant pairing in IMOCA, not forgetting the return of Michel Desjoyeaux in Class40. From promising rookies to emblematic figures, this 2025 edition promises to be one of the most exciting in ocean racing.
Departures are scheduled for October 26, with the first arrivals expected in Fort-de-France around November 5.
AEGEAN 600: imminent start for the 2025 edition
The 5th edition of the AEGEAN 600 kicks off this Sunday, July 6 at 2pm, from the mythical Cape Sounion in Greece. Nearly 60 international crews are expected to tackle the demanding 605-mile course in the heart of the Aegean Sea. Organized by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club with Rolex as official timekeeper, the race will combine flat calm and steady winds, offering a challenge as technical as it is spectacular. Before the start, regatta warm-ups, safety seminars and a visit to Poseidon's temple punctuate a week of intense preparation.
Oliver Heer targets Vendée Globe 2028 with ambitious new campaign
After completing his first Vendée Globe in 2024 in 99 days and without major damage, Swiss-German skipper Oliver Heer has confirmed his return for the 2028 edition. On the strength of this first successful experience, he is launching a second campaign under the slogan #HeerWeGoAgain with the aim of becoming faster and more competitive, thanks in particular to the acquisition of an IMOCA hydrofoil yacht. His team also intends to strengthen its commitment to science and the environment, notably through its partnership with the Swiss Polar Institute. Next step: crewed participation in The Ocean Race 2027, before returning to solo sailing around the world.
Les Sables âeuros Horta 2025: Rosetti and Sericano strike hard in the Açores
Leaving Les Sables-d'Olonne last Saturday under a bright sun, the 27 duos in the Les Sables âeuros Horta âeuros Les Sables offered an intense, ultra-fast first leg, which ended on the night of July 2 to 3 in Horta. The Italians Luca Rosetti and Mattéo Sericano (Maccaferri Futura) won after an express crossing lasting 4 days, 14 hours and 10 minutes, setting a new reference time. Their southerly option and the speed of their brand-new Class40 made all the difference in the final miles.
Behind them, Spain's Pep Costa and France's Pablo Santurde (VSF Sports) took 2nd place, just ahead of long-time leaders Fabien Delahaye and Pierre Leboucher (Legallais). The leading pack stayed together right to the end, with less than an hour between the top five. This first leg confirms the vitality and high standards of Class40 racing, with its sharp strategy, pure speed and competitive spirit. Next stage: back to Vendée!
J16 and U23 French Championships: Vichy welcomes the elite of youth rowing from July 4 to 6
The last major national event of the season for young rowers, the J16 and U23 French Championships will bring together 1,452 participants and 416 boats in Vichy, from July 4 to 6. For the U16s, the event marks the culmination of a year's work, while for the U23s, the battle promises to be fierce, particularly in the double sculls and coxless fours. Despite uncertain weather conditions, the event promises to be a busy and promising one for the next generation of French rowers.
Yaka Paddle Festival 2025: 800 paddlers expected in Larmor-Plage for a weekend of sport and solidarity
On August 30 and 31, Larmor-Plage will host the 4th edition of the Yaka Paddle Festival, which in three years has become the biggest Stand Up Paddle event in France. With 800 participants expected, including 500 for the big Sunday race, six events on the program and concerts played from stage boats, the atmosphere promises to be festive and unique. the event, which is 100% community-based, will donate all entries to innovative disability projects. Sponsored by Damien Seguin, Olivia Piana, Faustine Merret and Voyou, the festival promises a delicious mix of sport, music and generosity.
Mini Globe Race 2025 âeuros The Pacific in 5.80 m: crazy? No, heroes!
The second stage of the Mini Globe Race was completed in Fiji after an epic 7,400-mile crossing of the Pacific, from Panama to Tahiti, Tonga and finally Vuda Marina. Aboard their hand-built 5.80 m sailboats, the 15 sailors involved proved that a solo round-the-world voyage aboard a "mini" is no nonsense: it's a human feat.
Winner of this leg after 79 days at sea, Switzerland's Renaud Stitelmann confirms his domination. Australia's Dan Turner and Spain's Pilar Pasanau complete a podium forged in squalls, calms and storms. All this in conditions that were often extreme, far from comfortable, but rich in emotion.
Founded by Don McIntyre, this unique race demonstrates that ocean adventures can be enjoyed without super-yachts or huge budgets. Next stage: departure on July 26 for the Indian Ocean, bound for Cape Town. Still 16,000 miles to go, and the same question on everyone's mind: "Am I crazy?" . Perhaps. But above all, incredibly alive.
Rolex Fastnet Race 2025: a festive family village in Cherbourg at the end of July
In less than a month, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin will once again host the Rolex Fastnet Race village on Plage Verte. Free and open to all from 11am, this not-to-be-missed event promises an exceptional program: sporting and nautical events, skippers' masterclasses, guided tours of local businesses, live concerts every evening and the Patrouille de France air show on July 31. A not-to-be-missed celebration of the sea and the region, with maritime discoveries and festive moments for the whole family.
Foiling Week 2025 in Malcesine: champions, records and a wind of innovation
The 12th edition of Foiling Week concluded in Malcesine with record participation and a program rich in performances and sustainable initiatives. Federico Bonalana and Marco Alberti claimed the first-ever BirdyFish world title, while Enzo Balanger (France) claimed his third Moth victory. The ETF26 podium is 100% French, with Entreprises du Morbihan in the lead. In the WASZP class, Spain's Pablo Astiazaran won in a fleet of 131 boats, the largest of the event. The 2025 edition was also marked by the launch of the Foiling Week Cup in virtual AC40 (victory for American Magic), spectacular demonstrations, concrete environmental actions and workshops on foil manufacturing innovation. A not-to-be-missed event, looking to the future of foiling.
Ocean Fifty Series in Concarneau: second win for Le Roux and a mixed, eco-responsible Act
Erwan Le Roux (Koesio) won Act 2 of the Ocean Fifty Series in Concarneau, making it a double after his victory in Saint-Malo. Thanks to a final race with high coefficients, he edged out Sébastien Rogues (Inter Invest), the leader until then. Erwan Le Draoulec (Lazare) completed the podium. This Act inédit also distinguished itself by its commitment to inclusion, gender diversity âeuros with at least one woman per crew âeuros and sustainability, with a zero-plastic village and mobilized local players. An exemplary edition destined to become a benchmark for future Ocean Fifty competitions.
EurILCA Master Series in Carnac: sunny finish and confirmed podiums
The Bay of Quiberon provided an idyllic final day for the 62 sailors over the age of 40 competing in the EurILCA Master Series 2025. In bright sunshine and an eight-knot breeze, the leaders maintained their lead. In ILCA 6, Alexis Tourneur won ahead of Gilles Coadou and Benoît Raphalen, while Sweden's Ann Loren took first place for women. In ILCA 7, there were no surprises either: Benoît Meesemaecker won, followed by Argentina's Juan Gustavo Garcia and Britain's Alan Davis. Next challenge in Carnac: the WASZP French Championship in early July.
Kiel Week 2025: first gold medal for Mourniac and Retornaz in Nacra 17
Barely six months after forming their duo, Tim Mourniac and Aloïse Retornaz won their first Nacra 17 gold medal at Kiel Week 2025. A remarkable performance in strong wind conditions, confirming their rise to prominence after bronze at the European Championships. Dominant throughout the 12 races, the French perfectly mastered the Medal Race to beat Britain's Gimson/Burnet. A symbolic milestone for this ambitious young crew, who are now looking ahead to the Worlds in Cagliari in October.
