Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts Leaderboard 2024 2

CIC Med Channel Race 2025: a paradigm shift in Mediterranean offshore racing

by Sirius Events 10 Jan 17:05 GMT 27 April 2025
Aerial view of Marseille pier - Vieux Port, Saint Jean castle, and mucem in south of France © Samuel Borges Photography

If you've enjoyed the CIC Normandy Channel Race, you're going to love the CIC MED CHANNEL RACE! Based on the concept of the famous Norman event, SIRIUS EVENEMENTS is partnering with the Class40 to create its Mediterranean equivalent.

The CIC is taking on the role of Title Partner for an event, which is also supported by the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolis. Setting sail from Marseille on Sunday 27 April 2025, an extremely demanding 1,000-mile course around the Mediterranean is on offer to the skippers with the aim of creating a flagship event extending the scope of the Class40 in this region.

An innovative Mediterranean race model

The CIC MED CHANNEL RACE is taking on the fundamentals of its Norman counterpart: an exclusive, annual, double-handed Class40 event. A demanding 1,000 nautical mile course (1,852 km), it sets off from Marseille and takes the skippers on a week-long sprint amidst the islands of France's Var region, towards Calvi in Corsica, along the east coast of Sardinia and around the island of Mallorca, before returning to Marseille. Featuring a mixture of coastal hops and several long offshore sections, it inevitably embraces a series of stunning venues with some fantastic images guaranteed. The event is slotted in right at the start of the season, setting off from Marseille on Sunday 27 April 2025 when the weather is typically more favourable and integrates nicely into the existing event landscape. A course and a line-up such as this means that the leader board will likely be changing constantly.

The Aix - Marseille - Provence metropolis: an idyllic backdrop for a new race

For 4 days from Wednesday 23 April, the CIC MED CHANNEL RACE (CIC MCR) fleet will be berthed at the emblematic site of the MUCEM, a museum dedicated to the Mediterranean, in the port of Marseille. Like all the region's ports, it is managed by the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolis and it will be open to the public. A race village will welcome visitors on the J4 esplanade right next to the racing yachts. 10 to 15 boats are expected for this debut edition. The CNTL, a major club in Marseille, which has developed several offshore racing events including the Massilia Cup, will take on the role of partner and local support to the competition. The start and finish lines will be set in the city's southern harbour, which will once again take on a competition vibe less than a year after the Olympic Games were hosted there. A sizeable media device has been set up with FRANCE TELEVISIONS involving a daily 1-minute report over the 12-day event broadcast across all the FRANCE 3 stations in Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, Corsica and the Languedoc - Roussillon region.

Class40's Mediterranean ambition

Together with the IMOCA class in the Vendée Globe, Class40 is unquestionably the leading offshore racing monohull class on an international scale. Indeed, its success is evidenced by the fact that the 208th boat has just been launched. Controlled by a class measurement that is strict yet stable and open to a wide range of naval architects and yards, this 12 m thoroughbred of offshore racing is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Mainly concentrated in the English Channel and the Atlantic, today the Class40 has its sights on new areas of development to manage its success. Already, it boasts around fifteen boats in the south, with a strong presence in Italy and a number of events welcoming multiple classes that include the Class40. However, by creating the 1st dedicated Class40 event, the aim is to create a flagship event to spearhead the growth of a powerful global circuit.

Quotes:

Claude Koestner, Deputy CEO of the CIC: "Through its sporting commitments, the CIC is keen to contribute to the promotion of various regions and shine a spotlight on their dynamism. The love story between Marseille and the sea is a long one and economically it is coming to fruition in the most wonderful of ways with the global leaders being based in the Phocaean city. Supporting an event like the CIC MED Channel Race from its debut edition is a reflection of the CIC's commitment alongside those embarking on new adventures."

Cédric de Kervanaoël, President of the Class40: "I'm thrilled to be able to announce the launch of a new race in the Mediterranean, which is exclusively for the Class40 and organised in collaboration with Sirius Evènements. Scheduled to take place in April, this event setting sail from Marseille is the Mediterranean counterpart of the famous CIC Normandy Channel Race. This brand-new sporting and strategic event heralds a key stage in the development of the Class40 in the Mediterranean, a region full of promise for offshore racing. Boasting a demanding and spectacular course, this competition is designed to appeal to both skippers and enthusiasts, whilst extending the Class40's sphere of influence. It's an initiative, which once again highlights the class's commitment to championing a dynamic and varied circuit in partnership with one of the class's historic organisers, Sirius Evènements."

Manfred Ramspacher, manager of SIRIUS EVENEMENTS: "I'm particularly pleased to be returning to Marseille and to Provence after having organised a dozen or so major sailing events around the city since the noughties: Tour de France à la Voile stages at the Vieux Port, the J80 Worlds in 2013, the America's Cup GC32 circuit from 2014 to 2017... It's a region with a big personality and some fantastic maritime spaces so it's a fabulous setting for hosting this new project, which has real potential as a sports and media platform."

The Notice of Race is published today and registration is now open: www.med-race.com

Related Articles

2025 RORC Transatlantic Race day 5
Speed, strategy, and sail survival Five days into the RORC Transatlantic Race, the fleet has left the comforts of everyday life far astern, trading routine for the raw reality of ocean racing. Posted on 16 Jan
2025 RORC Transatlantic Race day 3
Most boats clocking exhilarating double-digit speeds The adrenaline-fueled magic carpet ride continues for the entire RORC Transatlantic Race fleet, with most boats clocking exhilarating double-digit speeds. Posted on 14 Jan
Ivan Dimov returns to the Global Solo Challenge
Originally from Bulgaria and now residing in Tuscany, he epitomizes the spirit of the race As new incredible speed records are being set at the Vendée Globe on the latest generation foiling IMOCAs, non-elite sailors and those unable to assemble massive budgets inevitably seek alternatives. Posted on 13 Jan
11th RORC Transatlantic Race sets off
Perfect sailing conditions just outside Marina Lanzarote The RORC Transatlantic Race launched in spectacular style, with perfect sailing conditions just outside Marina Lanzarote. The stunning backdrop of Arrecife and the excitement in the air set the stage for an unforgettable start. Posted on 12 Jan
Change of course adds tactical twist
The Canary Islands have been removed from the RORC Transatlantic Race course The 2025 RORC Transatlantic Race is set to begin with a new twist, following an important amendment to the Sailing Instructions announced on Thursday, January 9th. Posted on 10 Jan
RORC Transatlantic Race launches centenary year
The 11th edition of the race begins on Sunday The 11th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race begins on Sunday January 12th, 2025. An impressive, highly diverse fleet will depart Calero Marinas Marina Lanzarote to tackle the 3,000-mile oceanic race to Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada. Posted on 8 Jan
Dealtry Pickford signs up for the GSC 2027-2028
Global Solo Challenge is thrilled to welcome the Cape Town sailor The Global Solo Challenge is thrilled to welcome Cape Town sailor Dealtry Pickford to the lineup for the 2027-2028 edition. Posted on 24 Dec 2024
Transat Jacques Vabre changes its name
Becoming the Transat Café L'OR le Havre Normandie On Sunday 26th October 2025, the most legendary double-handed transatlantic race will start with a new name: the TRANSAT CAFÉ L'OR Le Havre Normandie. Posted on 5 Dec 2024
RORC Caribbean 600 news
RORC Nelson's Cup Series is now a stand-alone event The stage is set for an electrifying 16th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600, starting Monday 24th February 2025, from Antigua. The early entries in IRC Zero reveal a fierce battle among some of the most advanced offshore racing machines on the planet. Posted on 19 Nov 2024
First get-together for Globe40 2025-2026 skippers
Video conference with nearly thirty skippers and project managers from 10 nations With one group of round-the-world sailors setting sail on the Vendee Globe, it seemed like an opportune moment for the majority of the skippers due to compete in the 2nd edition of the GLOBE40 to come together for the first time yesterday, 12 November. Posted on 15 Nov 2024