© CHRISTOPHE FAVREAU

While the 24 co-skippers competing in the 48 Hour Azimut are locked in an intense race, the entire competitive sailing ecosystem is gathering this Friday at the Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly for a series of dynamic conferences and roundtables.

Life cycle analyses, bio-based materials, circular economy, data, and of course AI: the topics discussed reflect the complexity of the themes underlying the pursuit of performance in the face of sustainability challenges.

It has become a tradition at the Défi Azimut Lorient Agglomération—a showcase for the offshore racing ecosystem—to bring together key players at the forefront of innovation. This includes experts in the design, construction, and development of exceptional sailboats, as well as those driving environmental transformation and digital transition.

For this 2025 edition, the growing importance of this Azimut event—co-organized by Université Bretagne Sud, Audélor, and Bretagne Sailing Valley—is clearly felt. A total of 23 speakers—researchers, architects, engineer-skippers, industry professionals, and innovation leaders—have answered the call to lead the 13 scheduled conferences, centered around two major themes:


Materials and Environmental Impact
A focus on materials and reducing environmental impact—sharing experiences with natural fibers, wooden construction, refitting, regulations, and the recyclability of composites.


Embedded Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence
Design, real-world applications in the maritime sector, simulators, and performance analysis…