A top-flight line-up for the Normandy Channel Race 2020

Normandy Channel Race 2019 © Jean Marie Liot / NCR2019

Following several meetings in Caen last week, the Normandy Channel Race 2020 has been confirmed, a decision that is naturally subject to the evolution of the health situation in France.

A draft proposal has been drawn up by the organiser, in collaboration with the partner bodies, which takes into account the latest health guidelines, whilst enabling the 11th edition of this event to be run in the best possible manner. This proposal will of course require official validation by the local authorities.

As usual, a race village will be set up along the Quai Vendeuvre opposite the boats, though its public capacity will be restricted, visitors only being able to go round the marquees in one direction and in limited numbers to improve the flow of traffic and adhere to the social distancing rules in force. Any general public event where social distancing is difficult to implement have been cancelled, including the traditional presentation of the skippers on the Saturday afternoon of the start weekend and the prize-giving ceremony on the Sunday of the finish weekend.

The on-the-water programme will continue to comply with the Notice of Race and the passenger vessels at the start will run as planned, with the relevant health guidelines in place aboard.

As in previous years, the locals and the media will be able to come along and meet the skippers in the great atmosphere around the Bassin St Pierre, where a secure setting is guaranteed.

A top-flight competitive line-up

To date, 21 teams have signed up for the race, which is ultimately set to boast around 25 Class40s on the start line on 13 September. (See list of entries on the website www.normandy-race.com/index/inscrit)

After a year that has seen earlier events cut out of the 2020 Class40 championship, the top skippers and the very latest boats will be eager to hit the racetrack again in this Normandy Channel Race, which once again bodes well for a fierce competition along what is a highly demanding course.

With 6 seconds separating the top two boats at the finish in 2018 after a week at sea and just one minute in 2019, it's anyone's bet how the match will play out for 2020.

Among the stellar line-up launched a matter of weeks or months before the event, the great diversity of the Class40 is very much in evidence with both professional and amateur projects and boats of varying ages, all capable of vying for glory on a difficult and action-packed course. For some of course, the 'Normandy' will also be the perfect way to run in projects in preparation for next year's round the world GLOBE40 race.

Despite the global health crisis then, it is clear that the Class40 is looking to the future with confidence having announced the construction of 4 new craft in the past two weeks alone.

Registration at www.normandy-race.com, registration closes on 1 August 2020.

Normandy Channel Race 2020 course - photo © NCR2020