29/07/2025 00:53:37

25 crews have pre-registered for the Costarmoricaine 2025, World Raid Championships, organized by our association, the Club de Voile de la Baie d'Erquy. This Tuesday afternoon, July 29, from 3 p.m. until the last catamaran arrives late in the evening at the parking lot opposite the merry-go-round at Plage du Centre d'Erquy, we'll be proceeding with final registrations and equipment checks. So the boats will be visible to the public before the start of the next day's race to Ile de Bréhat.
Of these 25 crews, 2 have withdrawn. The Polish crew of Kuba and Ania Baczek withdrew a few weeks ago. Secondly, the Belgian crew of Walter Gonzalez and Éric Girardin (BEL87), who announced last week that they were unable to make the trip for medical reasons. Walter is a loyal participant in the race, having taken part in the last five editions without interruption.
There was also a last-minute change: last night, Ghislain Melaine (FRA29) was looking for a replacement for Matthew Young (Minnis Bay), who also had to withdraw. In the end, it was via the discussion channel reserved for participants that he was able to find a new crew member late in the evening. It will be Jean-Jacques Redon, a veteran of the event with several participations to his credit. He is currently sailing a Nacra 20, but will be returning to Formula 18 for the occasion, with the approval of his fellow competitors in the group.
On Monday evening, we had 23 catamarans of 2 models (or classes), 4 × Vipers (slightly smaller), 19 × Formule 18 (slightly larger) starting. A handful are already in the parking lot. Some even trained on the water on Monday morning.
Confirmation of entries involves a number of stages: firstly, the various administrative checks. But also equipment verification: to ensure a fair race, the different boats are subject to gauge rules, which set maximum sizes for the different parts of the boat (sail area, hull length, materials) so that all have equivalent performance. In addition, only one set of sails is allowed, and their serial numbers must be noted. Finally, the presence of safety equipment is checked.
After this day ashore, the Formule 18 and Viper catamarans admitted to take part in the Raid Worlds will set off this Wednesday, July 30 at 11:00 am from in front of Erquy harbor for a first leg of 28 miles (51km) in the Bay of St Brieuc to reach the Île de Bréhat that same evening.