The Defi Azimut-Lorient Agglomeration has set up base at the Maison des Skippers, in the heart of the Lorient La Base offshore racing hub.

No sooner have the festivities surrounding the return of the IMOCA fleet from New York concluded than the Lorient site moves straight on to one of the key events of the sailing season's return.

Offshore racing enthusiasts, the curious, families, and visitors alike can enjoy a packed week-long program featuring sporting competition, meet-and-greets, talks, and opportunities for discovery.

The IMOCA boats are already visible on the pontoons at Lorient La Base, offering visitors a first glimpse of the action.

Ashore: encounters, innovation, and discovery

Starting Tuesday morning, the Palais des Congrès will host a day dedicated to materials and mobility, co-organized by Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique, ID4Mobility, Compositic, and the EMC2 cluster. Registration is required to attend this event.

In the afternoon, participating IMOCA boats will set sail for Concarneau to take part in a final tribute to Charlie Dalin.

Throughout the week, students from the Lorient Agglomeration area will be welcomed by skippers to discover the world of offshore racing. They will also have the opportunity to experience key sporting moments up close alongside the competitors, thanks to sailboats provided by the Surfrider Foundation.

Friday will focus on reflection and innovation with a day of conferences organized by Bretagne Next, AudeLor, and UBS at the Cite de la Voile Eric Tabarly. Discussions will center on architecture and innovation as applied to offshore racing.

At sea: the IMOCAs take center stage

The first sporting event takes place on Wednesday, September 16, at 2:30 PM, featuring the traditional crewed speed runs in the Coureaux de Groix. Crews will compete against one another in turn during this particularly spectacular event.

A live broadcast on YouTube, featuring commentary from offshore racing experts, will allow viewers to follow the fleet's performance and rankings in real time.

On Thursday at 3:30 PM, the 48-hour solo race will get underway. Skippers will set off on an Atlantic loop, with the specific course determined by race officials.

The start will also be broadcast live on YouTube. The race tracker available on the Défi Azimut website will then allow you to follow the race's progress, the tactical choices made by the various competitors, and their return to Lorient La Base, scheduled for Saturday. A new feature on the tracker this year is a live chat hosted by experts, helping you follow and understand everything happening out on the water.

Finally, on Sunday at 12:30 PM, the Defi Azimut will conclude with one of its most popular highlights: the traditional crewed Tour de Groix, where the record set by Vincent Riou in 2015 remains unbroken. This year, the Figaro Bénéteau 3 Academy boats will also take part, starting with a staggered departure.

Join us all week at Lorient La Base

With a mix of sporting action, meet-the-skipper sessions, talks, and entertainment, this 16th edition of the Defi Azimut-Lorient Agglomeration promises once again to be a fantastic occasion for sharing a passion for offshore racing.

 

Find the full program on the official Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération website.