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The harbor of Lorient brought the curtain down on a particularly hard-fought Tour Voile. After five port calls, four rally stages, and a series of set courses, Région Bretagne %E2euros%93 CMB Espoir added its name to the list of winners for this 47th edition. The Breton crew finished ahead of Dunkerque %E2euros%93 Kiloutou, while PAPREC by Normandy Inshore Program held on to third place after a neck-and-neck battle with La Réunion.
Brittany Region %E2euros%93 CMB Espoir built its victory lap by lap
The final standings do not fully reflect the intensity of the racing seen since the start in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. While Région Bretagne %E2euros%93 CMB Espoir finished with a comfortable lead, the fleet remained extremely tight throughout the race.
The Bretons won nine races and three Grand Prix events, but above all, they managed to avoid poor performances. In a competition consisting of 32 races, this consistency gradually widened the gap between them and their opponents, who were also capable of competing at the top level.
Paul Loiseau sums up this impression: " "When you look at the overall standings, you might think we dominated by a wide margin. But out on the water, it was always a close race. There wasn't a single moment when we could just sail along comfortably. The leaders kept changing, and we had to stay focused the whole time."
A consistent field right up to the final day
The final leg, held in Lorient, confirmed the exceptionally high level of competition in this year?s race. In a northeasterly wind ranging from 8 to 15 knots, the crews completed two set courses followed by a 12-mile coastal race in which the standings shifted constantly.
This parity made an impression on the competitors themselves. According to Noa Geoffroy of PAPREC by Normandy Inshore Program, no crew had a decisive advantage.
"Everyone had their strengths?some on the set courses, others on the rally legs. Everyone made tremendous progress, both in terms of maneuvering and in terms of speed and familiarity with the boat."
This collective progress made every start, every tactical decision, and every maneuver crucial in shaping the overall standings.
PAPREC by Normandy Inshore Program Holds Onto Its Spot on the Podium
While the overall victory seemed assured before the final day, the battle for third place remained undecided until the very last leg. PAPREC by Normandy Inshore Program held a lead of just half a point over La Réunion going into the final three races.
The two Figaro Beneteau 3s then engaged in a fierce battle of constant marking, alternating between attacks and counterattacks in an effort to control their direct opponent.
The Normans finally managed to hold on to their lead despite constant pressure from the Réunion crew.
The Tour Voile reaffirms its role in training crews
Beyond the podium, this 2026 edition highlights what makes the Tour Voile so unique. The crews covered nearly 700 miles between Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Saint-Malo, Plérin, Camaret-sur-Mer, and Lorient, alternating between crossings, coastal routes, and regattas on set courses. This diversity forces sailors to constantly adapt their settings, strategies, and organization on board.
Arthur Meurisse, skipper of the Dunkerque %E2euros%93 Kiloutou, highlights this educational aspect: "
By winning this 47th edition, Région Bretagne %E2euros%93 CMB Espoir didn?t rely solely on its speed. The crew demonstrated its ability to perform consistently across all race formats, minimize mistakes, and maintain team cohesion for nearly three weeks. This consistency allowed them to finish the 2026 Tour Voile at the top of a particularly competitive fleet.
