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The Paprec 600 Saint-Tropez, created in 2010 by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, will set sail on April 20, 2026 for a new edition of 600 MN in the Mediterranean. Beyond the rankings, this offshore race raises a number of technical and sporting issues for both crews and double-handed solo sailors.
A 600 MN route, a strategic laboratory in the Mediterranean
600 miles in the Mediterranean is not just a long tack under spinnaker. The route takes the fleet from Saint-Tropez to the Bouches de Bonifacio, around Giglio, Gorgona and Montecristo, before passing through Giraglia and returning to the Gulf of Tropez.
This course concentrates contrasting weather zones. Site effects in Bonifacio, thermal transitions off Tuscany, wind corridors around Cap Corse. The files say one thing, the sea sometimes decides another. For the sailors, it's a complete exercise in routing, sail management and endurance.
The race is non-stop, but Race Rule 45 authorizes a supervised technical stop. A specific procedure allows the boat to resume racing after repairs. This is an important point for crews racing on recent or optimized boats, where reliability is part and parcel of performance.
A qualifying race for major offshore events
The Paprec 600 Saint-Tropez attracts sailors with their sights set further afield. Vendée Globe, Route du Rhum, Transat Jacques Vabre, Transquadra and Figaro are on the calendars of many competitors.
The event counts towards the Mediterranean Offshore IRC Championship. It also serves as a selective race, particularly for Class40s. For a project under construction, it's a must. We validate miles, sail configurations, electronic systems and architectural choices.
The IMOCA, Class40 and IRC boats find here a field of expression adapted to ocean racing. The gaps are widening on strategy and the ability to maintain a high pace over several days. In 2025, the real time record fell to 3 days, 14 hours, 11 minutes and 49 seconds, set by Mikaël Mergui and Richard Robini on the Class40 Centrakor. A benchmark for 2026.
New classes admitted in 2026, towards a more diversified fleet
The 2026 edition marks the arrival of the Sun Fast 30 One Design and MK2 multihulls. An interesting signal for crews looking for accessible and homogeneous boats.
IRC-rated yachts can be entered as full crew or double-handed. This format attracts owners involved in Mediterranean regattas, as well as ocean racers looking for more confrontation. Nearly 30 boats have already announced their participation. Other classes are welcome on request.
A fixture in the Mediterranean calendar
The reception of the boats begins on April 17, 2026. Technical inspections continue on April 18 and 19. The start is given on April 20, 2026 at 12:00 pm. The line closes on April 25, 2026 at 6:00 pm, followed by the prize-giving ceremony at 6:30 pm.
Created by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, based at the Nouveau Port in Saint-Tropez, the Paprec 600 has become a fixture on the Mediterranean offshore racing scene. Paprec has been the title partner since 2023.
