The IMOCA fleet will gather off Concarneau on 14 September for a musical parade to honour Charlie Dalin, the record-breaking Vendée Globe winner who died in June, ahead of the Défi Azimut Lorient Agglomération.
The tribute sail forms part of the 16th edition of the French short-format event, which begins proper on 15 September with speed runs between Groix and mainland Brittany. More than 15 solo sailors are entered for the five-day programme, which includes a 48-hour offshore race starting 17 September.
Dalin, who won the Défi Azimut three times and competed in it on five occasions, requested a lively celebration at his port of registry. His wife Perrine is eager to honour his wish, with Ultims, Figaros and dinghies joining the IMOCAs for the parade.
Sam Goodchild, skipper of defending champion Macif Santé Prévoyance, calls the Défi "the sharing race". This year's expanded programme includes networking conferences on naval architecture and innovation, plus evening "Afterworks" sessions for a new Partners' Club.
Jérémie Beyou's Charal, with a new hull design, is considered a leading contender. A win would be Beyou's fifth Défi Azimut title. Other favourites include MACSF (Corentin Horeau), Allagrande Mapei (Ambrogio Beccaria) and Association Petits Princes-Queguiner (Elodie Bonafous). Armel Tripon's VPLP-designed Les P'tits Doudous returns after its debut last year.
Three rookies make their IMOCA solo debuts: Pierre Louis Atwell (RESILIENT), Davy Beaudart (Bureau Vallée) and Japanese sailor Masa Suzuki (Milai-Furuno).
The 48 Hours race, spanning more than 500 miles, serves as the fleet's final competitive outing before the solo transatlantic classic from Saint-Malo to Guadeloupe. Race management falls to Francis Le Goff and Pierre Haÿs, with weather consultant Christian Dumard advising on conditions for the offshore leg. Coverage of the race will include live streaming, interactive cartography and onboard reporting overseen by Yann Riou.
The 16th Défi Azimut fleet
Fabrice Amedeo - FDJ United - Ocean Calling (daggerboard IMOCA)
Pierre-Louis Attwell - Résilient (daggerboard IMOCA)
Ambrogio Beccaria - Allagrande MAPEI
Davy Beaudart - Bureau Vallée
Jérémie Beyou - Charal
Élodie Bonafous - Association Petits Princes - Quéguiner
Manuel Cousin - Coup de Pouce
Violette Dorange - Initiatives-Cœur
Nicolas d’Estais - Café Joyeux (daggerboard IMOCA)
Sam Goodchild - MACIF Santé Prévoyance
Corentin Horeau - MACSF
Sébastien Marsset - FOUSSIER (daggerboard IMOCA)
Masa Suzuki - Milai - Furuno (daggerboard IMOCA)
Armel Tripon - Les P’tits Doudous
