Grand Prix de France de Course au Large: entries open on 2 January

Launched in 2016 by Jacques Civilise, La Drheam Cup / Grand Prix de France de Course au Large has continued to grow, with rising numbers of participants in each edition and a reputation that has now spread beyond the French coast, as increasing numbers of overseas crews take part. The French Sailing Federation has made no mistake, since the event has been on the race calendar from the very start: "The race rapidly found its place in the offshore racing scene, and is now held every two years, alternating with the Rolex Fastnet Race. Its two home ports, Cherbourg-en Cotentin and La Trinité-sur-Mer showcase it beautifully. The organiser, Jacques Civilise and his team have worked tirelessly to make it a recurring event in the French Sailing Federation's calendar, all the classes enjoy taking part", confirms Marc Bouvet, head of the Yacht division of the FFVoile.

La Drheam Cup / Grand Prix de France de Course au Large also features in the UNCL calendar (which has become the Racing division of the Yacht Club de France), as it is once again on the programme of the Channel / Atlantic IRC Championship in 2024. This is confirmed by Géry Trentesaux, president of the Racing division: "The race is indeed part of the IRC Championship, a sort of French-style Rolex Fastnet Race, with different courses depending on the class, enabling everyone to arrive more or less at the same time in La Trinité-sur-Mer. As a member of the Société Nautique de la Trinité-sur-Mer (SNT) and with a strong attachment to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, I can only encourage such a race. I haven't yet taken part but will be soon. From what I can see and the feedback I get, the race is very popular with sailors, particularly our British friends, who have included it in the RORC championship."

Indeed, La Drheam Cup / Grand Prix de France de Course au Large will confirm its international scope in 2024, as it has been written into the Royal Ocean Racing Club's annual Championship and will be the second leg of the IRC Double European Championships, held just after the first, the Cowes-Dinard-St Malo. Several classes have already added it to their calendar, including the Multi 2000s, Figaro Beneteau 3s, as well as the Class40s, as the race will be part of the 2024 European Trophy, with the Spi Ouest-France, Armen Race and CIC Normandy Channel Race.

La Drheam Cup / Grand Prix de France de Course au Large 2024 will also be a major meet for the first season of the new Sun Fast 30 One Design, with a separate ranking for them. There are plenty of reasons to take part in the fifth edition of La Drheam Cup / Grand Prix de France de Course au Large.
Entries open in the New Year, on 2 January!
 
Two cities hand in hand

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and La Trinité-sur-Mer are loyal to La Drheam Cup / Grand Prix de France de Course au Large, enabling both to strengthen their bond with each edition. The Mayor of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Benoit Arrivé, is delighted to welcome the start again in 2024: "From Cotentin to South Brittany, La Drheam Cup / Grand Prix de France de Course au Large is one of the most beautiful regattas that you could imagine, between two sea-going regions, two great French marinas: Cherbourg-en Cotentin and La Trinité-sur-Mer. One hundred boats were at the start in the last edition in 2022 and we are expecting the same number or more in 2024. The spirit of the event is what best attracts skippers: a race between big names in international sailing and dozens of amateur crews in a festive and popular atmosphere. It is of course a great time of gathering on the quayside of a town that will come alive with preparations until the start, between the outer harbour and the coast of La Hague. We all have great memories of the 2022 edition and we are eagerly looking forwards to 2024 and the start of the summer season."

Yves Normand, the mayor of La Trinité-sur-Mer has explained that: "La Trinité-sur-Mer will once again be there when La Drheam Cup / Grand Prix de France de Course au Large arrives next July. This race has grown at each edition and has now gained international recognition. Everyone agrees, renowned professionals and enlightened amateurs have written it into their calendars. There is no doubt that this year again the race will be a success. The town and the Auray Quiberon Terre Atlantique council are proud to be partners of this fifth edition."