Offshore Races

Normandy Channel Race

1,000 miles double-handed on Class40s, from Caen to Ireland and back through the Channel.

Created in 2010 and organised by Sirius Événements, the race, officially the CIC Normandy Channel Race, is one of the most hotly contested on the Class40 circuit. It leaves Caen down the Orne canal, crosses the Channel to the Isle of Wight, heads for the Scilly Isles, then up the Irish Sea to the Tuskar Rock before rounding the Fastnet and returning to Normandy; the exact course changes from one edition to the next. Tides and coastal passages make it highly technical. Guillaume Pirouelle and Jules Ducelier won in 2026, after Corentin Douguet and Axel Tréhin in 2025.

Start
Caen
Finish
Caen
Theoretical distance
1,000 nm
Frequency
Every year
Classes
Class40
Next start
(to be confirmed)
Official website
normandy-race.com

Recent winners

At a glance: frequently asked questions

Normandy Channel Race: when is the next start?

The next start is scheduled for May 2027 in Caen. The date is still to be confirmed by the organiser.

Normandy Channel Race: how long is the course?

The theoretical course is 1,000 nautical miles, starting and finishing in Caen.

Normandy Channel Race: who won the last edition?

Guillaume Pirouelle, Jules Ducelier on Sogestran – Seafrigo, in 2026.

Normandy Channel Race: which boats take the start?

Classes on the start line: Class40.

Normandy Channel Race: how often is the race held?

Every year.

Indicative course: the actual route depends on the weather. Figures taken from the sources below.

Sources

Courses au large · Offshore Races · Offshore Races · Offshore Races · Offshore Races