630 sailors make the start of the 15th Armen Race

Société Nautique de La Trinité-sur-Mer is preparing to launch the 15th edition of the Armen Race © SNT

The Société Nautique de La Trinité-sur-Mer (SNT) is preparing to launch the 15th edition of the Armen Race, one of the major offshore races on the Atlantic calendar. With 147 crews registered, with more than 630 sailors, the 2026 edition promises to be one of the largest in the event's history. The first start will be given on Thursday, May 14th at 2:00 PM in Quiberon Bay.

New race director this year, Gilles Bricout — a well-known figure among SNT sailors — has chosen to extend the long course to 350 miles. The strategy involves hugging the coastline on the first night to avoid strong winds, as far as the Chaussée de Sein, before a downwind run to virtual waypoints at the longitude of Île d'Yeu, then a return upwind via the north of Belle-Île. The first boats are expected to cross the finish line between Friday night and Saturday morning.

The race committee is chaired by Thomas Romont, who came from Loire-Atlantique for his first participation in the SNT.

The Nuit de l'Armen, meanwhile, offers a 160-mile route, following the route of the grand course up to the Jument de Glénan before heading back down and passing inside Belle-Île.

The Armen Race is part of the IRC Atlantic Channel 2026 Championship this year, which further enhances the appeal of the event for crews.

The fleet is divided into eight categories — IRC (1 and 2 crew, double and solo), Multi2000, Osiris, Class40 and Sun Fast 30 OD — and brings together very varied profiles, from fast multihulls to production one-designs, from racing crews to ambitious solo sailors.

Among the notable entrants, Nicolas Groleau returns to a race he particularly enjoys, aboard BT Blue, his Mach 45, accompanied notably by Arthur Le Vaillant. He will be directly challenged by the Mach 50 Palanad 4, skippered by Jean-Philippe Saliou, who is among the predicted favourites.

In Multi2000, Charlie Capelle and Lionel Lemonchoix will start on Acapella-Proludic-La Chaîne de l'Espoir, sistership of Mike Birch's boat, winner of the first Route du Rhum in 1978 — a strong link with the history of offshore racing.

In Class40, Guillaume l'Hostis will sail for Alternative Sailing / Constructions du Belon. Alternative Sailing will also be offering a week's charter in the Caribbean as a prize in a draw held during the awards ceremony.

The big names in the fleet are also participating. Sidney Gavignet will be at the starting line on Le Cigare Rouge, the legendary sailboat designed for Jean-Luc Van Den Heede's 1992 Vendée Globe and sailed since by leading figures in offshore racing, including Catherine Chabaud. Gavignet is currently preparing for the Route du Rhum. Valdo Doyer will compete in the VOR60 Challenge Océan, while Patrick Isoard will attempt a solo adventure aboard the IMOCA Groupe Cogedis for Enfants du Mékong.

Special mention finally goes to the legendary Pen Duick III, skippered by Benoît Hochart, whose mere presence at the start will thrill maritime history enthusiasts.

Ahead of the race, a weather conference will be led by meteorologist Christian Dumard on Wednesday May 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Voulien room, followed by the skippers' briefing on Thursday May 14 at 10:30 a.m. in the same room.

Around forty SNT volunteers will be on hand to welcome crews under the tent, 24 hours a day, and will handle arrivals, day and night.

Event website: snt-voile.org/regates/event/armen-race-2026