Normandy Channel Race 2026 Preview

Corentin Douguet and Axel Tréhin win the 16th CIC Normandy Channel Race © Jean-Marie Liot

After a record-breaking 2025 edition with 32 crews, 2026 is dedicated to solo sailing, with the Route du Rhum on the horizon for the Class40, which will be the largest class in terms of participation.

In Normandy, the CIC NORMANDY CHANNEL RACE is expected to attract 25 competitors at the start, but should provide just as much excitement as in previous years, given the presence of most of the top Class40 teams and the arrival of numerous new projects.

An event that attracts new projects and builds loyalty among its audience

The reputation of the CIC NORMANDY CHANNEL RACE makes it an essential stepping stone for all recent projects in the Class40; Thus, eight new projects are registered for the 2026 event, coming to test themselves on a notoriously demanding course. But the regulars are still there, and this edition will mark the 10th participation for Antoine Carpentier (recent winner of the GLOBE40 with Ian Lipinski) and Nicolas Jossier. Many of the most experienced skippers are thus reaffirming their commitment to the race, such as:

Axel Trehin (two-time winner, on CUSTOPOL): "This will be my seventh consecutive "NCR" - phew, it's a bit of a shock just writing that, time flies! - in this race that I particularly love, and which I won twice, in 2021 and 2025. This year, I'll be competing under the CustoPol colors, accompanied for the occasion by someone whose talent, experience, and above all, the strong friendship I have with him, defy description: Antoine Carpentier. Having just returned from a victorious round-the-world race on the Globe 40, he's joining me, more motivated than ever to conquer the Fastnet Rock and sail the English Channel!"

Thimoté Polet (ZEISS): "In a year of solo Route du Rhum sailing, having the The chance to participate in a double-handed race with an experienced and trustworthy partner is a real asset in the racing season. With Alexandre (Demange), we are determined to push the ZEISS rocket even further. The CIC Normandy Channel Race is a demanding race, full of surprises and challenges. A race that starts and finishes in the most beautiful region in the world, Normandy, passing through legendary locations like the Fastnet Rock in Ireland. Team ZEISS is ready, let's go!"

Fabien Delahaye (LEGALLAIS): "On the water, the Class40 LEGALLAIS will be ready to battle! After a 3rd place finish in the first race of the season, the Trin'40, the Norman skipper is reunited with his 2025 partner: Pierre Leboucher. This experienced and ambitious duo will tackle a course renowned for its technicality with the firm intention of staying at the front of the fleet!" "See you on Sunday, May 31st at 2:00 PM off Ouistreham for the start of a 1000-mile loop, roughly four days of particularly challenging sailing."

Guillaume Pirouelle (SOGESTRAN - SEAFRIGO): "It's a demanding race, with several Channel crossings, strong currents, and sometimes quite rough conditions. It's a great event, and I'm really happy to be doing it again this year. I think it's going to work very well with Jules (Ducelier)." The idea now is to continue progressing with the boat and for him to become increasingly familiar with it in order to gain more autonomy on board.

It's worth noting that Pirouelle won the Transat Café l'Or in 2025, broke the Jules Verne Trophy record with Thomas Coville, and won the first Class40 race of the season. Four excellent duos among many others, and we mustn't forget that Benoit Hantzperg and Djemila Tassin, the current holders of the 24-hour Class40 distance record with 459 nautical miles, are also competing.

A benchmark event in terms of media coverage, which also aims to be popular

The powerful media strategy of previous years is being repeated with a live start on FRANCE 3 on Sunday, May 31st, starting at 1:50 PM, and a one-minute segment daily for 12 days on that channel, as well as extensive support for 9 days on L'EQUIPE TV. With the support of CIC.ICI in Normandy and Ouest-France, the event has remained a loyal supporter since its inception. On land, the event also features a variety of entertainment in Caen with two major concerts on Friday, May 29th and Saturday, May 30th for the Normandy public. A celebration on land and uncompromising competition at sea: that's the program for this 17th edition.