Today, OC Sport Pen Duick, at the helm of the Transat Paprec, published the Notice of Race with all the details concerning the rules for competitors in the 17th edition if the historic event, the start of which is scheduled once again to be from Concarneau (Finistère) on 20th April 2025 at 1302hrs local time. Registrations are now open for the only double-handed mixed transatlantic race with everyone competing on the same footing, in which they will race to Saint-Barthélemy (French West Indies) via a waypoint in Las Palmas (Canaries,Spain).
Since it was first launched in 1992, the Transat Paprec (formerly the double-handed transatlantic race from Concarneau –Saint-Barthélemy and the Transat AG2R La Mondiale), which has seen the revelation of a number of ocean racing legends and trained several generations of sailors, has not aged an iota. While the race continues to win over Figaro racers from France and abroad, it is because that apart from the race itself, it also aims to enable young sailors from all sorts of backgrounds to battle it out on a physically and mentally demanding race course. Armel Le Cléac’h, twice winner of the race (2004, 2010) will not say the contrary. “In 2004, this was my first transatlantic race. It was a fantastic experience, because it ended with a win, but above all because it was a double-handed race. That enabled me not to get ahead of myself, as I advanced in the circuit. I thought it was great to race on a Figaro, because everyone was on the same footing. There was a real fight for three weeks. It was very useful for me. As always, when it is your first time, a lot goes through your head. That happens in a transatlantic race, a round the world event or a Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. Once you have done it, you don’t see things the same way.”
The skipper of Maxi Banque Populaire XI was able to make the most of the experience he had built up sailing double-handed in the race to make progress on a one-design boat, before encountering the success he was recognised for later on. This opinion was shared by Camille Bertel (Cap Ingélec), who raced in the 2023 Transat Paprec with Pierre Leboucher. “Sailing double-handle was a great help during my first year on a Figaro. The Transat Paprec enabled me to learn a lot and train alongside a co-skipper, who had much more experience than me: Pierre Leboucher. I made that choice because of his skills and what he could offer me in terms of experience.I can’t wait to take part in the 2025 race,” explained the young sailor, who will be competing in the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec for the first time this year.
Encouraging women to compete in ocean racing
The race which atracts people from way beyond France, also aims to encourage ladies to enter the world of ocean racing, as it became a mixed doubles race last year driven by an idea from OC Sport Pen Duick and the Paprec Group, the headline partner. “I had my first ocean race last year in the Transat Paprec. I had sailed for ten years on Maxi Yachts and I really wanted to get into this world. I met Edouard Golbery in 2022. He took on the role of mentor, both in terms of looking for sponsors and my training, right up to that incredible transatlantic race. Competing in this race with him gave the confidence I required to build my own project. I am now preparing for the next edition of the Mini Transat, due to take place in 2025,” added Alicia de Pfyffer, a Swiss sailor, who took part in the 2023 Transat Paprec race with Edouard Golbery (Race for Science – Verder).
The same course
The Transat Paprec course, while being challenging remains accessible to new Figaro racers, and remains unchanged for its 17th edition. The mixed pairs will face 3890 nautical miles between Concarneau and Saint-Barth, with a single course mark (29°00’00 N & 017°52’00 W) in Las Palmas that they will leave to starboard. A waypoint, which will force the skippers to head further south, giving a chance to the novice or relatively inexperienced crews, as it is not as tough as a course taking them further north. “The course is wide open with a single waypoint forcing the competitors to make a strategic choice: rounding the mark to head further North close to the Great Circle Route, or dive right down south along the coast of Africa, before turning right and hoping to pick up a stronger trade wind,” explainedFrancis Le Goff, the Transat Paprec Race Director.
So, once again, the port of Concarneau, the ‘queen of the Cornouaille region of Brittany,’ will be host to the start of the race, as has been the case every other year since 2006. The “Blue” town opening out onto the sea, is home to many maritime events, and lives to the pace of the tide. Many famous sailors have sailed in the Bay between the ramparts of the walled town and the Glénan Islands.
As has been the tradition since the very first edition of the race, the local authority in Saint-Barthélemy, a gem int he French West Indies, will celebrate the sailors with a warm and festive welcome, when they reach Saint-Barth. It is an opportunity for everyone to discover this small paradise bathing in crystal clear waters, where the plant and animal life is unrivalled and with its picture postcard white sand beaches. “With each passing edition, Saint-Barth has always been proud to welcome this unique race, which has always found the means to reveal new talent. In 2023, the Transat Paprec succeeded in its attempt to become the first double-handed mixed pairs transatlantic race. Next year, Saint-Barth will once again be ready to welcome these sailors in fitting style, with the local population keen to show their greatest respect,” explained Xavier Lédée, Chair of the Local Council of Saint-Barthélemy. Once they have crossed the line, the skippers will moor up in the harbour in Gustavia, where the Race Village for the finish will be set up.
Registrations are now open
The publication of the Notice of Race marks the opening of registrations for the 17th edition of the Transat Paprec. An early bird rate is available to competitors, who sign up before the 31st August 2024, with a special rate also available until 31st October 2024. The final date for registrations is 31st December 2024.
Quotes:
Sébastien Petithuguenin, Managing Director of the Paprec Group:
“The Transat Paprec perfectly encapsulates the values that are dear to Paprec: pushing back one’s limits, equal opportunities and respect for the environment.
The arrival of Paprec as headline partner for the 2023 edition enabled the race to evolve. It became the first double mixed transatlantic race. Our goal is to enable more women to reach the highest level of ocean racing. Our commitment to sailing is more than a mere sponsorship. It is a way for us to contribute to a sustainable and fair ecosystem, while strengthening our own competitive DNA. The first Transat Paprec offered us some exceptional performances and an incredible battle between the competitors. I am proud to see that four of the first six boats to finish in that race had sailed in the colours of Paprec. That confirmed our firm’s place in this high performance area of the sport of sailing.
I encourage men and women who enjoy sailing to compete in this unique adventure and take up the challenge of racing across the Atlantic in double-handed mixed pairs, once again showing the high standard of this competition. Line up for an experience bringing together high-performance sailing and essential human values.”
Julie Coutts, Managing Director of OC Sport Pen Duick:
“The publication of the Notice of Race marks the initial opening of the 17th edition of the Transat Paprec. Since it was created, this transatlantic race, which is now an established fixture in the French and international ocean racing circuit, has enabled several generations of sailors to do battle sailing double-handed on a one-design boat. In 2025, we are bringing back the idea of a mixed doubles race that was introduced in 2023, to meet the needs of society and the sport today and for the future. We are convinced that the race line-up will reflect the lively nature of the Figaro BENETEAU class and of ocean racing, enabling many women and young French and foreign skippers to compete in this key race in the circuit.”
Marc BIGOT, Mayor of Concarneau:
“We can hardly hard wait for the 2025 Transat Paprec. Concarneau is proud to be alongside OC Sport Pen Duick, as they develop this course, which has been part of the race scene in Concarneau since 2006.
This event marks the start every other year of the tourist season and gives a touch of adventure to the town. Within the age-old ramparts, while visitors look around the Village and take advantage of the special events, the Figaro crews will be making their final preparations to be ready to set sail on a course taking them to the Pearl of the French WestIndies. The start in Concarneau Bay is always a very exciting moment for sailing fans and all those who love a good show.
Over the past few years, we have seen a lot of new skippers arriving with a lot of very talented youngsters, who have already performed well in the classic races in the Figaro circuit. Many of them come from around here and train throughout the year around our coast. They will all be aiming to get to Saint Barth and see their name join the list of winners in this fantastic transatlantic race between Concarneau and Gustavia.”