Entries are now open, Notice of Race published for the 17th Transat Paprec

The 17th edition of the Transat Paprec, the two handed ‘mixed doubles’ race from Concarneau to Saint Barths racing on Figaro Beneteau 3s will start on 20th April 2025, entries are open and already coming in.

OC Sport Pen Duick, which runs the Transat Paprec, has just published the Notice of Race -  the outline rules -  for the upcoming 17th edition of the two handed race from Brittany to Saint Barths. The race starts from Concarneau (Finistère) on 20 April 2025 at 13:02hrs local time. As the only One Design transatlantic race for male-female mixed doubles it is a totally unique challenge and has already proven to appeal to a whole range of sailors of different experience and abilities.

This has included very top professionals to highly experienced amateurs looking for a lifetime challenge, to young sailors looking to learn through racing with a more experienced Pro. The Transatlantic course is from Concarneau to Saint-Barthélemy (French Antilles) via a waypoint in La Palma(Canary Islands, Spain).

Key points:

The notice of race for the 17th edition of the Transat Paprec has been published
The start will be given from Concarneau on April 20, 2025
The concept of a ‘mixed doubles’ pairing launched in 2023, continues for the 2025 edition Registrations are open and there is an ‘early birds’ rate until September 23
Course is CONCARNEAU to SAINT BARTHELEMY 3,890 nautical miles (7,204 km)

Since its creation in 1992, the Transat Paprec (previously the Transat AG2R La Mondiale), has become a key, formative Transatlantic which over the years has unveiled many top solo and short handed racing stars and trained generations of new sailors in the art and science of short handed trans ocean racing, competing in accessible equally matched boats.

MIXED DOUBLES ARE IN

In 2023 the appeal was strengthened when it transitioned to become the de facto‘ mixed doubles’ race. The pioneering edition proved to be a great challenge for all, offering an accessible pathway for younger or less experienced female sailors to race the Atlantic with a more experienced male ocean racer. The course, whilst very challenging in terms of tight boat for boat racing, meteo strategy, follows a route which – after exiting Biscay – is very much orientated around fast, mainly downwind trade winds racing.

Armel Le Cléac’h, double winner of the race (2004,2010), enthuses, “In 2004, it was my first transatlantic race. It was a great experience not just because we won at the finish especially because we did it double-handed. It allowed me to learn and progress fast. I found it great to do it in the Figaro because we were racing on equal terms. There was a real fight for three weeks. It helped me a lot. As always, when it’s the first time you learn so much whether it’s for a transatlantic, a round the world or a Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. Once you’ve done it you have that experience to carry forwards.”

The Vendée Globe winner now Maxi Banque Populaire XI skipper Le Cléac'h was able to build from that formative experience gained in double-handed racing, learning the ropes on a one-design boat whilst accompanied by an experienced racer to share the load and back him up.

It is an experience shared by Camille Bertel (Cap Ingélec), for whom the Transat Paprec 2023 yielded valuable experience, a stepping stone into solo racing on the Figaro Beneteau 3 circuit. “The double-handed race helped me a lot inmy first year of Figaro. The Transat Paprec allowed me to learn and train witha co-skipper who was much more experienced than me in my case Pierre Leboucher.I chose Pierre for his skills and what he could bring me in terms ofexperience. I really want to take part in the 2025 edition,” says Bertel,who will now race La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec for the first time this month.  

PROMOTING ACCESS TO OFFSHORE RACING FOR WOMEN SAILORS

One of the keynote fundamentals of the race is promoting access to offshore racing for women. The transition to ‘mixed doubles’ is an initiative promoted by OC Sport Pen Duick and the Paprec group, the Title Partner.

“Last year’s Transat Paprec was my first short handed ocean race last year, in. I had been sailing for ten years on Maxi Yachts but this is what I really wanted to get into. I met Edouard Golbery in 2022. He was my mentor, not just sailing but in terms of finding sponsors and training leading into this incredible Atlantic crossing in a race. Doing this race with him gave me the confidence to build my own Mini project. I am now preparing for the nex tedition of the Mini Transat, which will take place in 2025,” explains Alicia de Pfyffer, a Swiss sailor who took part in the 2023 edition of the Transat Paprec with Edouard Golbery (Race for Science – Verder).

THE COURSE REMAINS THE SAME

CONCARNEAU to SAINT-BARTHELEMY 3,890 nautical miles (7,204km)
The course of the Transat Paprec is challenging but it is accessible to new Figaro sailors and it remains unchanged for the 17th edition. It is some 3,890 nautical miles between Concarneau and Saint-Barthélemy with just the only one course mark (29°00’00 N & 017°52’00 W) at La Palma which is left to starboard. This waypoint keeps the racers south so making it more accessible to inexperienced crews, thereby avoiding the weaher fronts to the north.

"The course is quite open with a single waypoint but it usually needs them to make a choice of a direct course or south along the coast of Africa looking for the stronger trade wind," explains Francis Le Goff,Race Director of the Transat Paprec.

From the start…..
And the city of Concarneau will once again be the host to the race start as it has been every two years since 2006. It is a city very focused on the open sea, home to many sailing events,

The mayor of Concarneau Marc Bigot says "We are all really looking forwards to the Transat Paprec 2025. Concarneau is proud to support OC Sport Pen Duick in this ocean race which has been linked to Concarneau since 2006.” 

“This event opens the tourist season every two years bringing a real sense of adventure to the city. Sheltered by centuries-old ramparts, visitors can enjoy the race village and enjoy the entertainment on offer as the Figaro duos finalize their last preparations. The start in Concarneau Bay is always a very special moment for sailing enthusiasts and lovers of great shows,”

To the finish……

And as has been the tradition since the first edition of the race, the community of Saint-Barthélemy, the jewel of the French West Indies,will celebrate the finishing sailors in a warm and festive atmosphere specific to Saint-Barths. An opportunity for everyone to discover or rediscover this little corner of paradise bathed in crystal clear waters, whose fauna and flora are only matched by its postcard-like white sand beaches.

“Over the years, Saint-Barthélemy has always been proud to host a unique race, which has always known how to reinvent itself while being a true talent revealer. In 2023, the Transat Paprec  succeeded in becoming the first 100% mixed double-handed transatlantic race. Next year, Saint-Barthélemy will once again be ready to properly welcome these sailors for whom the seafarers who are the inhabitants of the island have the greatest respect", declares Xavier Lédée, President of the Territorial Council -Saint-Barthélemy. Once the finish line is crossed, the skippers will moor in he port of Gustavia where the arrival village of the race will be located.

Registrations are open!

The publication of the notice of race marks the opening of registrations for the 17th edition of the Transat Paprec.

An ‘early birds’ rate is offered to competitors registering before September 23, 2024, then a preferential rate until October 31, 2024. The registration deadline is December 31, 2024.

THEY SAID:

Sébastien Petithuguenin, the General Manager of the Paprec Group: “TheTransat Paprec perfectly embodies the values ​​that are dear to Paprec:surpassing oneself, equal opportunities and respect for the environment. Paprec coming on board as Title Partner for the 2023 edition  enabled the evolution of the format of this race, thus becoming the first mixed double transatlantic race. Our goal is to allow more women to access the highest level of ocean racing. Our commitment to sailing is more than just sponsorship, it is a way of contributing to a sustainable and fair ecosystem, while strengthening our own competitive DNA.”

JULIE COUTTS, CEO of OC Sport Pen Duick: "The publication of the notice of race opens the 17th edition of theTransat Paprec. Since its creation, this transatlantic race, firmly anchored inthe landscape of French and international ocean racing, has allowed several generations of sailors to learn their trade in double-handed sailing on a one-design boat. In 2025, we will renew the diversity initiative introduced in 2023, thus responding to the societal and sporting challenges of today and tomorrow. We are convinced that the sports field will reflect the dynamism oft he BENETEAU Figaro Class and ocean racing, and will allow many women, as well as young French and foreign skippers, to participate .”

JEAN-BERNARD LE BOUCHER, President of the BENETEAU Figaro Class:“In April 2025 with  the 17th edition of theTransat Paprec, the Beneteau Figaro Class will celebrate, with OC Sport PenDuick, Paprec and the French Sailing Federation, in this the only double-handed transatlantic race on the circuit.  In 2023, there were 11 Figaro Beneteau 3s lining up at the start. The Figaro Beneteau Class is available to crews and training centers to encourage the participation of as many boats as possible in this magnificent event, registered in the French Elite Offshore Racing Championship. Which sailors will succeed Loïs Berrehar and Charlotte Yven,defending champions aboard the Figaro Beneteau 3 Skipper Macif? See you on April 20, 2025 to follow this great adventure!”