Revealing talents, from Desjoyeaux to Dalin, the Transat Paprec continues to make history
by Transat Paprec 26 Feb 03:40 PST
15-20 April 2025
Transat Paprec © Alexis Courcoux / OC Sport Pen Duick
Many of the sailors that took part in the Vendée Globe started out in the Figaro class and had also taken part in the Transat Paprec.
This transatlantic race has been a must for over 30 years and has seen all the current greatest skippers pass through. In its thirty years of existence, it has retained the same principle: a top-class double-handed race on equal terms. Linking the pearl of Cornwall (Concarneau) and the pearl of the Caribbean (Saint-Barthelemy), the Transat Paprec will be contested for the 2nd year running in mixed doubles. The start will take place on 20 April, with a strong line-up that promises to make for one hell of a fight over the Atlantic.
In one of his recent interviews, Charlie Dalin, winner and record holder of the Vendée Globe, explained that 'what hasn't been talked about much recently is that the podium in this round the world race was 100% Figaro'. Trained in the rigorous La Solitaire, many sailors have also taken part in the Transat Paprec, one of the best-known double-handed transatlantic races between Brittany and the West Indies, the only double-handed transatlantic race on equal terms (one-design). A glance at the list of winners since its creation shows that.
A formative transatlantic race, rich in memories
Some of the greatest names in ocean racing have indeed shone in this race. Michel Desjoyeaux (1992), Jean Le Cam (1994), Alain Gautier (1996) and Armel Le Cléac'h (2004, 2010) are all winners of this transatlantic race. In addition, many of the sailors who competed in the last Vendée Globe also took part in the Transat Paprec. Charlie Dalin won in 2012, Yoann Richomme finished 2nd behind Paul Meilhat in 2010, Thomas Ruyant won in 2018, Nicolas Lunven and Sébastien Simon took part in 2016 (2nd and 4th respectively)... Others have taken advantage of the event to gain experience, such as the duo of Romain Attanasio and Samantha Davies in 2010 and more recently Tanguy Le Turquais in 2021. In the last edition, the female skipper Violette Dorange teamed up with Basile Bourgon (8th) to take part in the first Transat Paprec to be contested entirely in mixed doubles.
Over the years, the race has evolved and changed name, but has always retained an unchanging principle: to pit highly talented sailors against each other in a transatlantic race on equal terms. Each time, it promises to be a high-intensity regatta full of suspense, as the next edition, the 17th in it's history, is sure to demonstrate. The Transat Paprec is the link between two territories and ecosystems turned towards the sea, from the pearl of Cornwall (Concarneau) to that of the Caribbean (Saint-Barthelemy).
It was during the last edition, in 2022, that the race evolved by pitting only mixed doubles against each other. This major change, a first in the history of ocean racing, was prompted by the arrival of the Paprec group as the event's title partner. This year, the start will take place from the Breton city on 20 April, while the village will open five days before.
In the meantime, everyone is busy training, building up their automatisms and getting up to speed. All the participants will be officially presented at a press conference on Thursday 20th of March, the first step before they embark on the great history of the Transat Paprec.
Dates not to be missed:
- Thursday 20 March: Press conference and presentation of the sporting line-up
- Tuesday 15 April: Opening of the village in Concarneau
- Sunday 20 April: Race start
- Wednesday 7 or Thursday 8 May: Estimated arrival of the first boats in Saint-Barthelemy