30 Sailors Reunite for Family-Style Ocean Race in France

Thirty sailors are gathering in La Trinité-sur-Mer, France, for a race that feels more like a family reunion than a cutthroat competition.

The Trin'40 race launches in less than a month, bringing together an unusually diverse group of ocean racers. Professional champions will sail alongside ambitious rookies, offshore legends, and passionate amateurs, all competing in the same 1200-mile solo loop around the Atlantic coast.

This mixing of skill levels isn't an accident. It's the heart of what makes Class 40 sailing different.

Created twenty years ago, Class 40 boats measure exactly 40 feet long and have become the most popular vessels in offshore racing. They're fast enough to cross oceans at thrilling speeds but accessible enough that sailors from all backgrounds can afford to compete.

Fabien Delahaye, who finished second in the 2025 Class 40 championship, captures the spirit perfectly. "There's a super dynamic class with an extremely high level of sport, but above all, there's a spirit you don't find everywhere—a very family-oriented and supportive atmosphere," he says.

The competition will be fierce. Guillaume Pirouelle just won the Transat Café L'Or and holds the Jules Verne Trophy. He'll race against top contenders like Corentin Douguet and William Mathelin-Moreaux, plus local favorites who know these waters intimately.

But podium chasing isn't everyone's goal. For 30-year-old Belgian sailor Djemila Tassin, the race represents personal growth. "It's a springboard class, a perfect bridge between the amateur and professional worlds," she explains. "It's also opening up to greater inclusion, more diverse profiles, richer in other backgrounds."

Tassin recently set the Class 40 world record for distance covered in 24 hours at nearly 460 miles. Still, she's focused on learning rather than winning.

Twenty-five-year-old Matéo Le Calvic sees the boats as "4x4s of the seas—very physical but technically accessible." He's using the race to build experience for bigger dreams like circumnavigating the globe.

Even 62-year-old Emmanuel Hamez, who's competed in Class 40 since 2014, still finds a welcome place. "It's becoming more professional, but we still feel welcome," he says. "The level is high, but the atmosphere is anything but elitist. People share ideas, give each other advice."

The Ripple Effect

This spirit of openness is reshaping ocean racing itself. By keeping costs reasonable and welcoming newcomers, Class 40 sailing creates pathways for people who might never access elite sailing otherwise. Young racers gain the offshore miles they need to qualify for bigger competitions. Amateur sailors fulfill lifelong dreams without mortgaging their futures.

The camaraderie on the docks matters as much as performance on the water, proving that sports can elevate everyone without losing competitive fire.

As these thirty sailors prepare to test themselves against the Atlantic, they're proving the ocean has room for both excellence and inclusion.