The European nautical events not to be missed
Hoist the sails and cast off: Set course for the must-see sailing races in Europe!
Lovers of the sea and wide open spaces, adventurers of the foam and sailing enthusiasts, this article is for you!
Embark with Orca Retail for an overview of the most prestigious nautical events in Europe.
From legendary regattas to colorful festivals, get ready to experience exceptional moments at the heart of the marine world.
Vendée Globe: The Holy Grail of solo sailors
The Vendée Globe, often nicknamed "the Everest of the seas," is much more than just a sailing race. It's an extraordinary human and sporting adventure, a test of endurance and self-surpassing that pushes skippers to brave the most extreme elements on the planet.
Created in 1989 by Philippe Jeantot, the race has had 9 editions since its inception, with a start every 4 years from Les Sables-d'Olonne, in Vendée.
The course, covering a distance of about 45,000 km, takes sailors on a journey around the world, non-stop and unassisted, passing by the three most formidable capes: the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Horn, and Cape Leeuwin.
Over the years, the Vendée Globe has seen the birth of sailing legends. Among the most illustrious winners are:
- Titouan Lamort (1990): The first winner of the event, he completed the world tour in 109 days, 8 hours, and 49 minutes.
- Armel Le Cléac'h (2016): Holder of the event record with a time of 74 days, 3 hours, and 3 minutes.
- Yannick Bestaven (2020): Winner of the latest edition to date, he crossed the finish line after 89 days, 16 hours, and 47 minutes of racing.
Each edition, millions of people passionately follow the event, admiring the courage and dedication of the skippers. It's a true human and sporting adventure that makes people dream and inspires, a symbol of the spirit of adventure and the human capacity to push its limits.
Next edition: November 10, 2024
Website: www.vendeeglobe.org
Route du Rhum: A mythical transatlantic
Linking Saint-Malo in Ille-et-Vilaine to Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe, the Route du Rhum is a mythical transatlantic that is part of the grand history of sailing.
Created in 1978 by Michel Etevenon, it attracts every four years a diverse fleet of sailboats and skippers from around the world. An extraordinary adventure that promises a unique experience and an intense sporting challenge.
The Route du Rhum course, approximately 3,700 nautical miles long, takes skippers on a demanding transatlantic crossing. From trade winds to tropical depressions, through calm zones and rough seas, sailors must face varied and sometimes extreme weather conditions. A technical and strategic challenge that tests their skills and adaptability.
The duration of the Route du Rhum varies considerably depending on the categories of boats in the race. The maxi-multihulls, the fastest in the fleet, generally complete the course in just over 6 days. The monohulls, on the other hand, take several weeks to cross the finish line, with race times exceeding 30 days.
Since its creation in 1978, the Route du Rhum has seen many legendary skippers excel. Among the greatest winners, we can mention:
- Alain Colas (1978): First winner of the event in monohull, he disappeared at sea a few days after his arrival in Pointe-à-Pitre.
- Philippe Poupon (1986): First winner in multihull, he paved the way for a new era of multihull dominance in the Route du Rhum.
- Laurent Bourgnon (1994): Winner in monohull with a record time that was only beaten 24 years later.
- Gitana 11 (2002): First maxi-multihull to win the event, with Franck Cammas at the helm.
- Loïck Peyron (2014): Winner in the Ultime category with a new event record, beaten four years later by Charles Caudrelier.
In 2022, French skipper Charles Caudrelier shattered the Route du Rhum record in the Ultime category aboard his maxi-trimaran Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. He crossed the finish line in Pointe-à-Pitre in 6 days, 19 hours, 47 minutes, and 25 seconds, breaking the previous record set in 2018 by Francis Joyon by more than 2 days.
Next edition: 2026
Website: www.routedurhum.com
The Tall Ships Races: A grand spectacle of giant sailboats
The Tall Ships Races is an opportunity to see and admire majestic sailboats from around the world.
The race was born after World War II, at a time when Europe was seeking to rebuild and come together. In 1953, London lawyer Bernard Morgan proposed organizing a friendly race between young cadets and sailors from around the world, to promote international friendship and training in traditional sailing. The first edition of The Tall Ships Races, held in 1956 between Torbay and Lisbon, met with immediate success.
Since then, this gathering, organized in different European cities, offers a grand and unforgettable spectacle. Parades at sea, boat visits, onshore activities: a rich and festive program awaits young and old alike.
The Tall Ships Races 2024 will take place from Thursday, June 27 to Monday, August 5. On the program: three exciting races and two more relaxed stages for a total of 5 countries (Lithuania, Finland, Estonia, Åland Islands, and Poland) to discover the treasures of the Baltic Sea.
Next edition: June 27, 2024
Website: tallshipsraceshelsinki2024.fi
Kiel Week: The Largest Regatta in the World
Far from being a simple sporting competition, Kiel Week is a true maritime festival rooted in German history and culture. Created in 1882 at the initiative of naval officers and local dignitaries, it has established itself over the years as the unmissable event for sailing enthusiasts from around the world.
Every year, at the end of June, the city of Kiel transforms into a vast nautical theater. More than 1,500 boats and 15,000 sailors from over 70 countries gather for a week of intense races in all sailing classes, from the smallest boats to ultra-performing maxi-multihulls. A grand spectacle and fierce competition that punctuate the days of spectators, who come in large numbers to admire the sailors' feats.
Beyond the sporting events, Kiel Week offers a rich and varied program that caters to all audiences. Sailing parades, open-air concerts, floating villages, exhibitions, and children's activities: there is something for every taste and every age!
Next edition: June 19 to 28, 2024
Website: www.kieler-woche.de
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez: A Concentration of Glamour and Sailing
While today Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez shines brightly, its origins are rather modest. In 1981, two skippers, Jean Laurain and Dick Jayson, launched a friendly challenge: to sail from the port of Saint-Tropez to the Pampelonne beach via the Nioulargue shoal. The winner was to treat the other crew to lunch.
Quickly, this friendly challenge turns into a real race, attracting more and more participants and spectators. In 1999, the event takes its current name, "Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez", and becomes a key reference in the world of sailing.
Every year, at the end of September, the Gulf of Saint-Tropez is adorned with multicolored sails. Elegant classics, luxury yachts, and ultra-modern racing boats compete in fierce trials, offering spectators a grand and unforgettable show. An intense competition paced by the wind, strategy, and the skill of the skippers.
Beyond the sporting competition, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is also an unmissable social event. Glamorous evenings, sumptuous parties, and fashion shows enliven the nights of Saint-Tropez, attracting the biggest names of the international jet-set. A unique atmosphere where luxury, elegance, and passion for sailing intertwine.
Next edition: September 28 to October 6, 2024
Website: www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr
The Giraglia Rolex Cup: A Mediterranean challenge for seasoned sailors
Created in 1953 by the Yacht Club Italiano, the Giraglia Rolex Cup has established itself as one of the most prestigious offshore races in the world. Its record includes illustrious names in sailing, such as Michel Desjoyeaux, Philippe Briand, and Franck Cammas, all of whom have etched their names into the legend of this extraordinary competition.
Starting from Saint-Tropez, the Giraglia Rolex Cup presents itself as a 600-nautical-mile offshore race marked by breathtaking landscapes and demanding sports challenges. Tracing its course through the western Mediterranean, it skirts the Italian and French islands, offering sailors a magnificent spectacle between sea and sky.
Next edition: June 13 to 20, 2024
Website: www.loropianagiraglia.com
The Brest Maritime Festivals: A journey through time at the heart of heritage
Created in 1979, the Brest Maritime Festivals (formerly Brest Old Rigging Festival) are part of a long maritime tradition that dates back several centuries. The city, a former military and commercial port, has always maintained a close relationship with the sea. The festival is an opportunity to celebrate every four years this rich heritage and to share the passion for navigation with the general public.
For a week, the port of Brest transforms into a true open-air museum. Hundreds of traditional boats from all over Europe gather for spectacular parades, offering spectators an unforgettable nautical ballet. Exhibitions, concerts, street performances, and pyrotechnic shows also enliven the festival, creating a festive and friendly atmosphere for all ages.
Next edition: from July 12 to 17, 2024, the first in 8 years!
Website: www.fetesmaritimesdebrest.fr
The New York Vendée: A solo transatlantic crossing
Created in 2013, the New York Vendée, formerly known as Transat New York - Vendée Les Sables d'Olonne, is a solo transatlantic race connecting New York (United States) to Les Sables-d'Olonne (Vendée).
The course, approximately 3,700 nautical miles long, is dotted with formidable capes such as Cape Finisterre and the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.
The skippers must face often difficult weather conditions, with violent winds, colossal waves, and extreme temperatures.
Next edition: unknown, 2024 edition launched on May 29.
Website: www.newyorkvendee.org
The Arctic Vendée: A frosty adventure in the vastness of the Great North
The Arctic Vendée is a solo race created in 2018 connecting Les Sables-d'Olonne (France) to Ivalo (Finland), via the Northeast Passage. At 6,500 nautical miles long, it is the longest and most difficult transatlantic race in the world.
The skippers involved in the Arctic Vendée must face extreme weather conditions, with freezing temperatures, violent winds, and threatening icebergs. The course, dotted with narrow passages and dangerous navigation areas, requires great technical mastery and flawless adaptability.
Due to unusually severe ice conditions in the Northeast Passage, the 2022 edition of the Arctic Vendée was modified. The course bypassed Iceland to the south, shortening the total distance to 3,300 nautical miles.
The next edition of the Arctic Vendée is scheduled for 2026 . The exact route has not yet been defined, but it is likely to take the Northeast Passage, offering skippers an even greater challenge.
Next edition: 2026
Website: www.vendeearctique.org
Tips for participating or observing nautical events
- Plan your trip in advance: Major nautical events attract a lot of people, so it is important to book your accommodation and transport tickets in a timely manner.
- Learn about the event: Check the event's website to know the schedule, participation conditions, and observation points.
- Attend onshore activities: Most nautical events offer onshore activities, concerts, exhibitions, and stand villages.
- Respect safety: Remember to follow safety instructions and adhere to the organizers' guidelines.
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Read more about the world of nautical sports and RIB boats:
- Sailing in the North Sea and the Channel: Complete Guide
- Sailing on the French Mediterranean coast: Complete Guide
- Sailing on the French Atlantic coast: Complete Guide
- Overview of French nautical shows