Ocean Fifty Circuit Act 2 Preview - A new purpose-driven sailing event in Concarneau

by UpWind by MerConcept 13 Jun 02:03 PDT 25-28 June 2025

UpWind by MerConcept Ocean Fifty © Gauthier Le Bec | UpWind by MerConcept

From June 25 to 28, 2025, Concarneau, France, will host Act 2 of the Ocean Fifty circuit, a major stop in the 2025 championship for 50-foot trimarans.

Organized by the Ocean Fifty Class, with UpWind by MerConcept as a key partner alongside the Region of Brittany, and with the support of the City of Concarneau and 11th Hour Racing, this event promises to be a highlight of the season—blending sport, innovation, ecological transition, and inclusion.

An ambitious shoreside program

While ten Ocean Fifty trimarans will compete in races across the Bay of Concarneau, the event village on Quai Carnot will host a vibrant schedule of conferences, workshops, exhibits, and activities—open to everyone.

The event will center around four thematic days:

Wednesday, June 25 - Diversity & Inclusion
Roundtable on women in the maritime industry, coaching sessions, and networking opportunities.
Thursday, June 26 - Youth, Education & Marine Protected Areas
Educational workshops and biodiversity awareness.
Friday, June 27 - Wind-Powered Maritime Transport
Discussions with leaders in decarbonized shipping and the WindShip exhibition.
Saturday, June 28 - Celebration of the Sea & Coastlines, a UNOC certified day
Beach clean-up, live music, kids' activities, and the fleet dockside for public viewing.

Toward more responsible and inclusive racing

Home port of the UpWind by MerConcept trimaran, Concarneau is proud to welcome the full Ocean Fifty fleet for this second act of the 2025 Championship. Over four days of racing, ten crews will face off in a mix of inshore and offshore races across the Bay.

In line with the event's robust sustainability program, several initiatives will be introduced this year. Notably, to promote gender diversity, each team is required to have at least one female crew member onboard during the Concarneau races. Additional concrete actions to minimize the event's impact will include:

Distribution of a map identifying protected zones in the bay
Collaboration with local suppliers
Clear goals for inclusion, ecological transition, and public engagement

A post-event impact report will be published in the fall, covering attendance, community engagement, media coverage, and local environmental and economic outcomes. UpWind by MerConcept will work closely with the Ocean Fifty Class to ensure transparency and continuous improvement.

Cécile Andrieu, Co-Director of MerConcept: "This new Act of the Ocean Fifty Series in Concarneau is more than just a race. It's a gathering to rethink the sporting events of tomorrow—fairer, more sustainable. With the support of Upwind's Founding Sponsor 11th Hour Racing, we're excited to welcome stakeholders from the offshore racing world to our home port in Concarneau, and to inspire new ways of organizing these events."

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