With the growing competitive appeal of the CIC NORMANDY CHANNEL RACE 2024, the deadline for registration has been extended to 1 April to ensure that everyone has a chance to secure a golden ticket for this star event.

Indeed, thirty or so crews are expected at the start on Sunday 15 September 2024, with some 25 teams having already signed up or expressed an interest in taking part in this special 15th anniversary edition, which is the highlight of the Class40 circuit in the run-up to the year’s reference transatlantic sprint.

A multi-faceted event

In a circuit that is constantly evolving, with some ten or so brand-new craft due to be launched in 2024, the CIC NORMANDY CHANNEL RACE is the perfect platform for competitors to raise their game. For some it serves as a top-level sporting clash, where a shot at victory only comes as a result of dogged determination right to the wire. For others it serves as a gateway into the class for new owners (on average 50% of competitors are rookies), as well as a chance to launch some new recently launched craft, as will be the case in 2024 for Ian Lipinksi’s new CREDIT MUTUEL (Max40.2) or the very latest Mach.40.6 currently in build for American Greg Leonard. Equally, it also serves as a qualifier for those crews preparing for the 2nd edition of the GLOBE40 round the world race.

For 15 years the CIC NORMANDY CHANNEL RACE has hosted 591 skipper participations, for 310 distinct skippers of 17 nationalities and an average of 21 Class40 per edition since 2010.

Signing up for the CIC NORMANDY CHANNEL RACE is synonymous with limited logistical costs, a favourable carbon footprint with the race starting and finishing in the same port, international media coverage and all the attributes of a major yacht race, fleshed out with entertainment for the benefit of the local population and a variety of hospitality on offer to businesses.

See the list of entries on 25 March: normandy-race.com/les-equipages

A cardinal point in the development of boating in Normandy

15 years ago, only a handful of people believed that Class40 skippers could be persuaded to cross the Loire and push beyond Brittany to race in Normandy… 15 years on, the CIC NORMANDY CHANNEL RACE will undoubtedly boast the biggest line-up of Class40s in France this year… What is more, that line-up will once again feature champions like Vincent Riou, former Vendee Globe winner, who is returning to Normandy for the 4th time, albeit on his very own boat this time (PIERREVAL), local champion Fabien Delahaye (LEGALLAIS), as well as Erwan le Draoulec (EVERIAL) former winner of the Mini Transat, who is making his CIC NORMANDY CHANNEL RACE debut. Added to these will be an array of passionate amateurs keen to increase their standing in the ‘sharp’ ranking.

Like a lot of regions and communities, the ‘blue economy’ has gained ground to convince public and private decision-makers that boating and offshore racing communication, is a key factor in the area’s development, employment, image and promotion.

The Caen area, which hosts the start and finish of the CIC NORMANDY CHANNEL RACE, is a prime example of this, particularly now with its ‘homegrown’ Class40s from the GRAND LARGE COMPOSITE and V1D2 shipyards.

It is something the CIC NORMANDY CHANNEL RACE has been working on to great effect for the past 15 years…

Registration at a special rate through until 31 March: www.normandy-race.com – skippers area.

by Sirius Evenements