22 boats for the Normandy Channel Race

Strong entry once again for the Class40 season opener

14 April will see the start of the fourth Normandy Channel Race. Over 20 Class 40 crews are expected in Caen for the start of this 1,000 mile race on a course will take them across to the Solent, down the southern coast of England, across Ireland and acrounss the Fastnet before returning to the Normandy shore.

In the space of four years, the Normandy Channel Race has become a classic in French offshore racing for the Class 40s.

The fourth edition is returning to its usual April slot, where it will open the Class 40 racing calendar while serving as a qualifier for the Transat Jacques Vabre.

There are currently a record 23 entries for this year’s race, including Sébastien Rogues, Thomas Ruyant, Bruno Jourdren, Ned Collier Wakefield, Armel Tripon, Fabrice Amedeo, Halvard Mabire, Jorg Riechers, Pierre Brasseur, Louis Duc, Nicolas Jossier, Boris Herrmann and Stéphanie Alran.

In last year's race the British crew of Concise, Ned Collier-Wakefield and Sam Goodchild, led the fleet home ahead of Anglo-French duo, Miranda Merron and Halvard Mabire, the latest victory following in the footsteps of the likes of Thomas Ruyant/Tanguy Leglatin and Tanguy de Lamotte/Sébastien Audigane.

The Normandy Channel Race gathers inland in Caen over 11-14 April before the boat make a parade up the canal towards Ouistreham for the start.

Entries: