(La Trinite sur Mer, France)- What is the essence of the “grand tour” of Belle Ile? Perhaps the panorama above gives you that feeling of majestic beauty and romance of sailing that captures us all.
Created in 2008, the Tour de Belle Ile was meant to be just that— a tour that started from the heart of the Bay of Quiberon, just off La Trinite sur Mer, and sail on a beautiful circumnavigation around Belle-Ile-en-Mer. The fascinating contrasts and variety of stunning landscapes enrich this exceptional course.
The idea for participating was also simple. So long as you had a boat over 6 meters, you could sail. Small or tall ships, whether professional or amateur sailors and cruise enthusiasts, everyone is invited to participate. And, all types of boats have looked forward to their tour each year, Maxi trimarans like Groupama and Banque Populaire, many famous IMOCA 60s from Vendee Globe, Route du Rhum and so forth, as well as legendary boats like Eric Tabarly’s PEN DUICK IV and even the America’s Cup 12 Meter FRANCE I.
Here’s the most fun (or craziest) part of the event. Everyone has the same starting line that is 3 kilometers long! That is the essence of the Tour de Belle-Ile. More than 500 boats lined up in the majestic Bay of Quiberon, what a sight!
With so many small boats joining this sailing festival on the water, the organization created two courses, the Grand Tour (start/finish off La Trinité-sur-Mer, leaving Belle Ile and various rocks/ islands to port for a 42nm course) and Le Petit Tour (start/finish La Trinite sur Mer, but instead round a series of marks on the inner coast (east side) of Belle-Ile for about 37nm).
Many
J/Teams participated in this year’s event including J/70s, J/80s and
J/92s on the Le Petit Tour and on the Grand Tour were the offshore J’s.
In IRC 2, the famous J/120 RHAPSODIE V sailed by Jean Jacques Godet
from SR Rochelaises managed a 4th in class. In the IRC 3, it was the
J/97 MISPICKEL VI sailed by Thibaut Fagart from SR Rochelaises that took
3rd in her class.In the HNB A class, the J/111 J4F sailed by Pierre Guennal with Nicolas Troussel, twice winner of the Solitaire du Figaro, won their class! They were followed in 4th overall by the J/88 J-LANCE XI skippered by Didier Le Moal from SR Rochelaises (also President of J/Composites in France). Just behind them in 5th overall was the J/105 MISS J sailed by Frederic Guillemot. For more Tour de Belle Ile sailing information
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