European sailing events not to be missed
Hoist the sails and cast off: set a course for Europe's must-see yacht races!
Lovers of the sea and wide open spaces, adventurers of the foam and sailing enthusiasts, this article is for you!
Eembark with Orca Retail for a tour of Europe's most prestigious sailing events.
From legendary regattas to colourful festivals, prepare to experience exceptional moments at the heart of the marine world.
Vendée Globe: The holy grail for solo sailors
The Vendée Globe, often dubbed the "Everest of the seas", is much more than just a sailing race. It's an extraordinary human and sporting adventure, a test of endurance and self-transcendence that pushes the skippers to brave the planet's most extreme elements.
Created in 1989 by Philippe Jeantot, the race has seen 9 editions since its inception, with a start every 4 years from Les Sables-d'Olonne, in Vendée.
The course, covering a distance of around 45,000 km, takes sailors on a round-the-world voyage, non-stop and without assistance, passing through the three most fearsome capes: the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Horn and Cape Leeuwin.
Over the years, the Vendée Globe has seen the birth of sailing legends. Some of the most illustrious victors, include:
- Titouan Lamort (1990): First winner of the event, he completed the circumnavigation in 109 days, 8 hours and 49 minutes.
- Armel Le Cléac'h (2016): Event record holder with a time of 74 days, 3 hours and 3 minutes.
- Yannick Bestaven (2020): Winner of the last edition to date, he crossed the finish line after 89 days, 16 hours and 47 minutes of racing.
Each year, millions of people follow the race with passion, admiring the skippers' courage and self-sacrifice. It's a real human and sporting adventure that makes people dream and inspires them, a symbol of the spirit of adventure and the human capacity to push back one's limits.
Next edition: November 10, 2024
Website: https://www.vendeeglobe.org/
Route du Rhum: A mythical transatlantic race
Relating Saint-Malo in Ille-et-Vilaine to Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe, the Route du Rhum is a mythical transatlantic race that is part of the great history of sailing.
Created in 1978 by Michel Etevenon, it attracts every four years a diverse fleet of yachts and skippers from around the world. An extraordinary adventure that promises a unique experience and an intense sporting challenge.
The Route du Rhum course, approximately 3,700 nautical miles long, takes skippers on a demanding transatlantic crossing. From trade winds to tropical lows, via calm zones and heavy seas, sailors have to cope with varied and sometimes extreme weather conditions. A technical and strategic challenge that tests their know-how and ability to adapt.
The duration of the Route du Rhum varies considerably depending on the categories of boats competing. The maxi-multihulls, the fastest in the fleet, generally complete the course in just over 6 days. The monohulls, meanwhile, take several weeks to cross the finish line, with race times that can exceed 30 days.
Since its creation in 1978, the Route du Rhum has seen many legendary skippers shine. Some of the biggest winners, include:
- Alain Colas (1978): The first winner of the event in a monohull, he disappeared at sea a few days after arriving in Pointe-à-Pitre.
- Philippe Poupon (1986): The first multihull winner, he ushered in a new era of multihull dominance in the Route du Rhum.
- Laurent Bourgnon (1994): Winner in a monohull with a record time that was not beaten until 24 years later.
- Gitana 11 (2002): First maxi-multihull to win the event, with Franck Cammas at the helm.
- Loïck Peyron (2014): Winner in the Ultimate category with a new event record, beaten four years later by Charles Caudrelier.
In 2022, French skipper Charles Caudrelier smashed the Route du Rhum record in the Ultime category aboard his maxi-trimaran Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. He crossed the finish line in Pointe-à-Pitre in 6 days, 19 hours, 47 minutes and 25 seconds, shattering the previous record set in 2018 by Francis Joyon by more than 2 days.
Next edition: 2026
Site internet : https://www.routedurhum.com/
The Tall Ships Races: A grandiose spectacle of giant sailing ships
The Tall Ships Races, is an opportunity to see majestic sailing ships from all over the world sail and admire them.
The race was born on the eve of the Second World War, at a time when Europe was seeking to rebuild and come together. In 1953, London lawyer Bernard Morgan then proposed the organisation of a friendly race between young cadets and sailors from around the world, to promote international friendship and traditional sailing training. The first edition of The Tall Ships Races, which took place in 1956 between Torbay and Lisbon, was an immediate success.
Since then, this gathering, organised in various European cities, has provided a grand and unforgettable spectacle. Parades at sea, boat tours, entertainment ashore: a rich and festive programme awaits young and old.
The Tall Ships Races 2024 will take place from Thursday 27 June to Monday 5 August. On the programme: three exciting races and two quieter stages for a total of 5 countries (Lithuania, Finland, Estonia, Åland Islands and Poland) discovering the treasures of the Baltic Sea.
Next edition: 27 June 2024
Site internet : https://tallshipsraceshelsinki2024.fi/en/
Kiel week: The world's biggest regatta
Far from being just a sporting competition, Kiel Week is a true maritime festival rooted in German history and culture. Created in 1882 on the initiative of naval officers and local notables, it has established itself over the years as the must-attend event for sailing enthusiasts from all over the world.
Every year at the end of June, the city of Kiel is transformed into a vast water theatre. More than 1,500 boats and 15,000 sailors from over 70 countries are gathering for a week of intense racing in all sailing classes, from the smallest boats to ultra-high-performance maxi-multihulls. A grandiose spectacle and fierce competition punctuating the days of the spectators, who came in droves to admire the prowess of the sailors.
Beyond the sporting events, Kiel Week offers a rich and varied programme aimed at all audiences. Parades of sailing ships, open-air concerts, floating villages, exhibitions and children's entertainment: there's something for all tastes and ages!
Next edition: 19 to 28 June 2024
Website: https://www.kieler-woche.de/en/index.php
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez : A concentrate of glamour and sailing
While today the Voiles de Saint-Tropez shine brightly, their origins are rather modest. In 1981, two skippers, Jean Laurain and Dick Jayson, set themselves a friendly challenge: link Pampelonne beach from the port of Saint-Tropez via the Nioulargue shoal. The winner had to offer lunch to the other crew.
Rapidly,this friendly challenge turns into a real race, attracting more and more participants and spectators. In 1999, the event took on its current name,"Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez", and became an unmissable reference in the world of sailing.
Every year, at the end of September, the Gulf of Saint-Tropez is decked out in multicoloured sails. Elegant classics, luxury yachts and ultra-modern racing boats compete in fierce races, offering spectators a grand and unforgettable spectacle. An intense competition punctuated by the wind, the skippers' strategy and skill.
Beyond the sporting competition, the Voiles de Saint-Tropez are also an unmissable social gathering. Glamorous evenings, lavish parties and fashion shows punctuate Tropezian nights, attracting the biggest names in the international jet set. A unique atmosphere blending luxury, elegance and a passion for sailing.
Next edition: 28 September to 6 October 2024
Website: https://www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr/
The Giraglia Rolex Cup: A Mediterranean challenge for seasoned sailors
Created in 1953 by the Yacht Club Italiano, the Giraglia Rolex Cup has established itself as one of the world's most prestigious offshore races. Its list of winners includes such illustrious names in sailing as Michel Desjoyeaux, Philippe Briand and Franck Cammas, all of whom have written their names into the legend of this extraordinary competition.
Taking off from Saint-Tropez, the Giraglia Rolex Cup is presented as a 600 nautical mile ocean race punctuated by sumptuous landscapes and sporting challenges. Tracing its course across the Western Mediterranean, it skirts the Italian and French islands, offering sailors a grandiose spectacle between sea and sky.
Next edition: from 13 to 20 June 2024
Website: https://www.loropianagiraglia.com/
Les Fêtes Maritimes de Brest : A journey back in time to the heart of heritage
Created in 1979, the Fêtes Maritimes de Brest (formerly the Festival des Vieux Gréements de Brest) is part of a long maritime tradition dating back several centuries. The town, a former military and commercial port, has always had a close link with the sea. The festival is an opportunity to celebrate every four years this rich heritage and share the passion for sailing with the general public.
For one week, the port of Brest is transformed into a veritable open-air museum. Hundreds of traditional boats from all over Europe gather for spectacular parades, offering spectators an unforgettable nautical ballet. Exhibitions, concerts, street entertainment and fireworks shows also punctuate the festival, creating a festive and friendly atmosphere for all ages.
Next edition: from 12 to 17 July 2024, the first in 8 years!
Site internet : https://www.fetesmaritimesdebrest.fr/
The New York Vendée : A solo transatlantic crossing
Created in 2013, the New York Vendée, formerly known as the Transat New York - Vendée Les Sables d'Olonne, is a single-handed transatlantic race from New York (USA) to Sables-d'Olonne (Vendée).
The course, around 3,700 nautical miles, is punctuated by fearsome capes such as Cape Finisterre and the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.
Skippers have to contend with often difficult weather conditions, with violent winds, colossal waves and extreme temperatures.
Next edition: unknown, 2024 edition launched on 29 May.
Site internet : https://www.newyorkvendee.org/
The Arctic Vendee: A chilling adventure in the vastness of the far north
L'Arctique Vendée is a solo race created in 2018 linking Les Sables-d'Olonne (France) to Ivalo (Finland), via the North-East Passage. With a length of 6,500 nautical miles, it is the longest and toughest transatlantic race in the world.
The skippers taking part in the Vendée Arctic face extreme weather conditions, with freezing temperatures, strong winds and threatening icebergs. The route, punctuated by narrow passages and dangerous navigation zones, demands great technical mastery and an unfailing ability to adapt.
Due to unusually severe ice conditions in the Northeast Passage, the 2022 edition of the Arctic Vendée has been modified. The course skirted Iceland from the south, shortening the total distance to 3 300 nautical miles.
The next edition of the Vendée Arctic is scheduled for 2026. The exact route has not yet been defined, but it is likely to take in the North-East Passage, offering the skippers an even greater challenge.
Next edition: 2026
Website: https://www.vendeearctique.org/
Tips for participating in or watching boating events
- Plan your trip in advance:Major sailing events attract a lot of people, so it's important to book your accommodation and transport tickets in good time.
- Find out more about the event: Visit the event website for the programme, entry requirements and viewing points.
- Attend the onshore entertainment: Most sailing events offer onshore entertainment, concerts, exhibitions and stall villages.
- Respect safety: Don't forget to respect safety instructions and follow the organisers' instructions.
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