Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

La Rochelle, France - One of Europe's best known sailing venues

by Rob Kothe and the Sail-World Team on 9 Oct 2013
Downwind Finn action - Semaine Olympique Francaise 2012 Thom Touw http://www.thomtouw.com
For more than 150 years, the La Rochelle's Société des Régates Rochelaises has been running major sailing events, in a natural sailing ampitheatre on the Bay of Biscay in western France. Some of the best know French sailors including Philippe Poupon, Isabelle Autissier, Marc Thiercelin, Pierre Follenfant, Claire and Jean-François Fountaine, Antoine Albeau, Pierre Pennec and Yann Guichard, Cédric Pouligny, Pascal Rambeau, Laurent Pagès have started their sailing careers in La Rochelle.

In the 2009, more than 100 boats assembled for the Fireball Worlds, in 2010 500 Optimist sailors were at the International Cup, in 2011 there was a 700 boat Laser Worlds and last year, there were 188 boats at the SAP 505 World Championships. Early this year the Finn World Masters, with more than 250 boats and the 470 Worlds in July-August with more than 250 boats.


This week, the final round of the EuroSAF Champions Sailing Cup, the Semaine Olympique Française, with 270 crews from more than 30 nations is being sailed out of La Rochelle. Sailing at this year’s SOF regatta are two more well-known locals RS-X talent Charline Picon and Finn sailor Jonathan Lobert.

A soft start to this week’s event, with the crews held ashore until almost 1400. Here are some boat park images before the crews headed out.









Pantaenius Sail 2025 AUS FooterJeanneau Sun Odyssey 350Barton Marine Pipe Glands

Related Articles

2025 29er Europeans at Lake Garda Opening Ceremony
More than 500 sailors paraded through the Riva del Garda's beautiful streets The 2025 29er European Championship officially opened today in stunning Riva del Garda, hosted by Fraglia Vela Riva. More than 500 sailors paraded through the city's beautiful streets in a colorful, high-energy opening ceremony.
Posted on 2 Jul
The power of tech
What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it? What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it?
Posted on 2 Jul
Stay, play and save at the 2025 Sydney Boat Show
The ultimate indoor boating experience will take over Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park The ultimate indoor boating experience, Sydney Boat Show, will take over Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park from 14 to 17 August for the first time.
Posted on 2 Jul
Jazz Turner Faces Everything and Rises
Non-stop, solo, unassisted British Isles navigation has captivated sailors & non-sailors alike Jazz Turner's Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin Vega 27ft yacht has captivated sailors and non-sailors alike.
Posted on 2 Jul
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D3
Surprise exits in Marstrand as Quarter-Finalists decided The qualifying round-robin stages at GKSS Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand finished today with the surprise departure of defending champion USA's Chris Poole/ Riptide Racing and Switzerland's Eric Monnin/ Capvis Swiss Match Racing Team from the Open Class.
Posted on 2 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais Day 1
Sled sparkle in Cascais' Atlantic surf to lead After seemingly being starved of boisterous top end conditions for some years now Okura's Sled crew have been relishing a return to big breezes and big waves.
Posted on 2 Jul
Freestyle Pro Tour Paros overall
The Meltemi winds once again set the stage for the final day As the riders gathered at the event site of the 2025 FPT Paros for one last time and the Meltemi winds once again began blowing strong, the stage for the final day of the event was set.
Posted on 2 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race: Offshore classics set to race
IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it. While French round the world race legend Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (aka VDH) isn't competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race, two of his former steeds will be on the IRC Zero start line.
Posted on 2 Jul
Four days to start the 5th AEGEAN 600
The fleet has a wide range of sizes and types represented Nearly all 60 teams are assembled here at the Olympic Marine venue getting ready for the start of the 5th edition of the AEGEAN 600, organized by the Hellenic Offshore Race Club (HORC) with co-organizers being Olympic Marine and Region of Attica.
Posted on 2 Jul
The Magenta Project unveils new brand identity
As part of its milestone tenth anniversary As part of its milestone tenth anniversary, The Magenta Project is excited to launch a refreshed brand identity and the first phase of its new website, reinforcing its commitment to equity and inclusion for women in sailing.
Posted on 2 Jul