The Région Bretagne – CMB Excellence Offshore Racing Programme has been developing young sailing talent since 2011, and next year it will bring that mission to one of France’s most prestigious ocean racing events.
The programme draws strength from Brittany’s maritime ecosystem—shipyards, small and medium enterprises, coastal racing events, and what locals call “Sailing Valley.” It has become a genuine launchpad for professional careers. The model works by backing young racers while promoting the region’s broader sailing culture, creating a space where emerging skippers gain competitive experience alongside exposure to Brittany’s deeper maritime traditions.
The results speak for themselves. Corentin Horeau, Tom Laperche, and Anthony Marchand all developed through the Région Bretagne – CMB pathway before reaching Ultim and Imoca competition. The programme’s ability to identify and nurture world-class competitors has proven durable.
A Natural Step
Fielding a Figaro Beneteau 3 in Tour Voile 2026 represents a logical extension. The timing aligns with the programme’s calendar, and Tour Voile itself is a storied competition that attracts European crews and serves as a genuine testing ground for those aiming higher in professional racing. It’s the kind of platform where emerging talent can measure itself against established competition.
Tour Voile organisers have welcomed the entry enthusiastically. The French Sailing Federation and the Finistère Offshore Racing Hub are supporting the move, signalling broader institutional confidence in the partnership. The Région Bretagne – CMB boat will join the starting line when competition commences on 24 June.
For the programme, this move crystallises a coherent vision of athlete progression. Rather than operating in isolation, Région Bretagne – CMB is integrating into one of the circuit’s marquee events. That sends a message: success in offshore racing requires sustained investment, access to quality opposition, and backing from a region that understands the sport’s technical and commercial weight.
The partnership also reinforces Brittany’s reputation as a centre of sailing excellence. In a region with deep roots in ocean racing, the programme’s presence at Tour Voile sits naturally alongside the shipyards, the cluster of small racing enterprises, and the calendar of coastal events that define Breton sailing culture. The boat will fly the colours of a region that still takes its racing seriously.
