Trin’40: the “Class40 family” prepares for its solo reunion

A true human and sporting mosaic is about to arrive in the charming harbor of La Trinité-sur-Mer, in Brittany’s Morbihan region. Because let’s set the record straight—or rather, put the mast back in the middle of the hull: Class40 is not just any class! Created twenty years ago, this 40-foot monohull category—12.19 meters, to be precise—has, over the years, become the most dynamic class in offshore racing and by far the most represented on the start lines of major transatlantic races.

What explains this success? Boats that are increasingly powerful, sleek, demanding, and capable of crossing oceans at high speed… but above all still accessible to a wide variety of sailors. On the Trin’40 start line, this unique diversity will be on full display: seasoned professional sailors, ambitious competitors on the rise, offshore racing legends who have no intention of hanging up their gear just yet, as well as more novice profiles and passionate amateurs seeking an extraordinary adventure. This diversity is precisely what defines the DNA of the class.

“A spirit you don’t find everywhere”

“It’s a very dynamic class, with an extremely high level of competition and boats that are truly designed for racing. But above all, there’s a spirit you don’t find everywhere—a very family-like and supportive atmosphere,” sums up Fabien Delahaye, skipper of Legallais and one of the serious contenders for victory in the Trin’40. Runner-up in the 2025 Class40 championship, the Normandy sailor remains cautious about his objectives:

“Sailing solo is still a key step. It’s about getting your bearings back, rethinking maneuvers, energy management, and equipment. In the first race of the year, it’s always hard to find the right balance and know whether you’re racing to win or to learn. But the goal is clearly to measure ourselves against the others—and even if we know it’s going to be tough, we can’t wait to get back out there!”

And it’s safe to say the battle could be fierce, with formidable competitors such as Guillaume Pirouelle (Sogestran–Seafrigo), recent winner of the Transat Café L’Or and now also a Jules Verne Trophy holder with the crew of Sodebo Ultim 3. He’ll be up against another of his round-the-world teammates, as Pierre Leboucher from Nantes will also make his Class40 debut at the Trin’40, aiming to challenge the top names in the class such as Corentin Douguet (SNSM – Faites un don), Axel Tréhin on a brand-new boat, William Mathelin-Moreaux (Patapain – Les Invincibles), as well as local sailors Quentin Le Nabour (Bleu Blanc Planète Location) and Guillaume L’Hostis (Alternative Sailing – Constructions du Belon).

“A stepping-stone class”

But beyond these podium contenders, the Trin’40 represents something more than just rankings for many sailors: a personal challenge. Class40 retains what makes it unique—a training ground for offshore racing, designed to help sailors log miles and build experience.

“It’s a stepping-stone class, a perfect bridge between the amateur world and the professional scene,” says Belgian sailor Djemila Tassin, 30. “It’s also becoming more inclusive, with more diverse profiles and backgrounds. That’s really valuable, and I hope it continues to grow in the coming years!”

That doesn’t mean she won’t be pushing her limits on this new race, which will take sailors toward the Raz de Sein, along the English coast, before heading down toward Cape Finisterre and returning to La Trinité. Holding the Class40 24-hour distance world record since this winter, with 459.57 nautical miles covered, she wants to “keep progressing on these incredible boats—manageable solo, robust, and fast, with reasonable budgets.” Her goal? “To learn, learn, learn… and of course finish as the top ‘pointed bow’ boat,” referring to older-generation Class40s whose bows are less rounded than the latest designs—the striking “scows.”

“The level is high, but the spirit is anything but elitist”

It’s also in this spirit of progress offshore that 25-year-old Matéo Le Calvic has joined a Class40 he once barely dared to dream of. “What I particularly like is that Class40 offers all kinds of formats: solo, double-handed, crewed racing—all on what is basically a ‘4x4 of the seas,’ very physical but technically accessible,” explains the young sailor, who will race under the colors of FPFP TP. “I have so much to learn and, above all, I want to explore, so I’m aiming for races like the Tour of Ireland, the Middle Sea Race in the Mediterranean, and later the Globe40—a round-the-world race in double-handed format with stopovers.”

One boat, many dreams—even for those who don’t intend to make a career out of it. “It’s a friendly class where amateurs still have a place,” adds Emmanuel Hamez, 62, a passionate skipper who has been racing on the Class40 circuit since 2014. “It’s becoming more professional, but you still feel welcome. The level is high, but the spirit is far from elitist. People share, advise each other—nothing is hidden. On the pontoons, you talk with everyone.”

And that means something when your dock neighbor happens to be Vincent Riou! The winner of the 2004 Vendée Globe has been back since 2024 with a new boat under the colors of Pierreval – Fondation GoodPlanet. For the 54-year-old sailor, Class40 represents “a perfect compromise” to satisfy his enduring passion for offshore sailing and competition.

“It’s a really interesting class, with prototype boats that push you to stay on top of innovation, but with rules that keep them relatively simple to handle,” explains the seasoned skipper, who completed his eighth Transat Café L’Or this winter. “Today, you find a great mix of amateurs with diverse life paths and highly accomplished sailors stepping up their game. The projects are also simpler to build and manage. Naturally, for someone getting a bit older like me, it’s easier to handle. This mix allows me to find what I love in sailing: competing at a high level, often being challenged, while still enjoying it immensely—because that’s really the ultimate goal!”

“We’re happy to be out sailing not just because we’re competitors on the water, but also because ashore it’s friendly and welcoming,” concludes Fabien Delahaye. “There’s real solidarity because the projects remain human-sized. If you come visit us on the pontoons, you can talk with skippers and preparers—it’s very accessible compared to other classes. And our boats are beautiful, objectively speaking of course!”

See you from April 20 on the pontoons of La Trinité-sur-Mer, with the race start scheduled for April 24 at exactly 2 p.m.!