The 18th edition of the Transat Paprec will set sail from Concarneau on April 18, 2027

1 day ago
5 min read

OC Sport Pen Duick, organizer of the Transat Paprec, today published the Notice of Race detailing the rules for participation in the 18th edition of this historic event, which will once again start from Concarneau (Finistère) on April 18, 2027 at 1:02 PM. Registration for the only transatlantic race for mixed double-handed crews on equal terms, which will reach Saint Barthélemy (French Antilles) via a waypoint in La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain), is now open.

Since its creation in 1992, the Transat Paprec (formerly Transat en double Concarneau – Saint-Barthélemy, formerly Transat AG2R La Mondiale) has constantly reinvented itself.

The switch to mixed doubles in 2023 marked a turning point in the history of the event, and the 2025 edition confirmed this dynamic: the sporting field has only grown denser, reinforcing the Transat Paprec in its status as a major offshore racing event.

A SPORTS PLATFORM THAT IS GROWING IN POWER

The figure speaks for itself: 19 mixed double-handed crews took part in the Transat Paprec in 2025, compared to 11 in the inaugural edition of the format in 2023. This increase reflects the growing enthusiasm of sailors, and in particular female sailors, for this demanding transatlantic race, and confirms the relevance of the choice made by OC Sport Pen Duick and its Title Partner, Paprec, in 2023. The Transat Paprec is thus establishing itself, edition after edition, as one of the most anticipated events on the Figaro Beneteau Class calendar.

PROMOTING ACCESS TO OFFSHORE RACING FOR WOMEN SAILORS

The race, which attracts people from all over the world, also has the mission of promoting access to offshore racing for women since it became mixed in 2023 under the impetus of OC Sport Pen Duick and the Paprec group, its Title Partner. "I find it really interesting that the race is in mixed doubles. It brings another element to the race, and it gives many more opportunities to lots of girls to have the chance to sail on these boats, whereas they might not have had the opportunity otherwise.

"I find that a mixed-gender pair is also very balanced. It's an excellent way to leverage the strengths and weaknesses of different genders, but also of each individual. So it's really important to form a team where you're happy to complement each other, both in terms of strengths and weaknesses, but also to have fun throughout the race. And besides, it's a long race, about 17 days. It's a great challenge," says Ellie Driver, a British sailor who participated in the 2025 Transat Paprec with Oliver Hill (Women's Engineering Society).

AN UNCHANGED ROUTE

The Transat Paprec course, challenging yet accessible to newcomers to the Figaro circuit, will remain unchanged for this edition. On the menu for the mixed duos: 3890 nautical miles between Concarneau and Saint-Barthélemy, with a single mark of the course (29°00'00 N & 017° 52'00 W) at La Palma to be left to starboard.

A waypoint that will force sailors to head slightly south to encourage participation from novice or less experienced crews, as the route is less challenging than a more northerly course. " The course is open, with a single waypoint that will force competitors to choose between the great circle route (the direct route), or heading far south along the coast of Africa before turning right in the hope of finding stronger trade winds ," explains Francis Le Goff, Race Director of the Transat Paprec.

Thus, the City of Concarneau, queen of Cornouaille, will once again host the start of the race, as it has done since 2006. Resolutely oriented towards the open sea and accustomed to major sailing events, the Blue City, which lives to the rhythm of the tides, has seen many sailors hone their skills in its magnificent bay, between the ramparts of the walled city and the Glénan archipelago. "Concarneau and the Transat Paprec, it's a story that has lasted for almost twenty years and continues to bring people together." A land of sailors and builders, our city has always maintained a deep relationship with the sea, one built on respect and audacity, two values that this race fully embodies. Each edition is a highlight for our region: for a week, the port transforms into a race village, the walled city provides the setting for a unique popular festival, and thousands of visitors share the excitement of the grand departure with the people of Concarneau. By hosting this new edition of the Transat Paprec in April 2027, the city reaffirms its place at the heart of French offshore racing. I am proud to continue this extraordinary human and sporting adventure with OC Sport Pen Duick, and to offer all the crews the best possible start to Saint Barthélemy.” indicates Quentin Le Gaillard, Mayor of Concarneau.

And as has been the tradition since the race's first edition, the community of Saint-Barthélemy, a jewel of the French West Indies, will celebrate the sailors in a warm and festive atmosphere typical of Saint-Barths. It's an opportunity for everyone to discover or rediscover this little corner of paradise bathed by crystal-clear waters, whose beautiful flora and fauna are matched only by its picture-perfect white sand beaches. " Over the years, Saint-Barthélemy has always been proud to host this unique race, which has consistently reinvented itself while proving to be a true talent incubator. In 2023, the Transat Paprec achieved its goal of becoming the first 100% mixed-gender double-handed transatlantic race." “Next year, Saint-Barthélemy will once again be ready to properly welcome these sailors, for whom the island's seafaring community has the utmost respect , ” declared Xavier Lédée, President of the Territorial Council of Saint-Barthélemy. Once they cross the finish line, the skippers will moor in the port of Gustavia, where the race's finish village will be located.

A RACE OF LEGENDS, A RECORD TO BEAT

Since its creation in 1992, the Transat Paprec has seen some of the biggest names in offshore racing shine. Jacques Caraës and Michel Desjoyeaux won the very first edition in 1992, in 24 days, 8 hours and 40 minutes, opening the list of winners of an event that would become a benchmark of the Figaro circuit. Jean Le Cam and Roland Jourdain triumphed in 1994, Alain Gautier and Jimmy Pahun in 1996, while in 2000, Karine Fauconnier, alongside Lionel Lemonchois, achieved one of the most remarkable performances in the history of the race: to this day, she remains the only woman to have won the event in a women-only configuration.

Only two sailors have managed the feat of winning twice: Armel Le Cléac'h, winner in 2004 with Nicolas Troussel and then in 2010 with Fabien Delahaye, and Charlotte Yven, who became the first skipper to win the Transat Paprec twice consecutively, in 2023 with Loïs Berrehar and then in 2025 with Hugo Dhallenne, under the colors of Skipper Macif.

In terms of timing, the trend is clear: race times have steadily improved since the switch to foiling Figaro Beneteau 3s. The race record belongs to Nils Palmieri and Julien Villion (TeamWork), who reached Saint Barthélemy in just 18 days, 5 hours, 8 minutes, and 3 seconds in 2021—a record that has stood for two editions, even with the increasing number of mixed double-handed crews. The 2023 and 2025 editions, sailed in this new format, confirmed the very high level of the fleet, with race times close to 18 days and 19 hours for the two winners.

On the eve of this 18th edition, which will start from Concarneau on April 18, 2027, the record of Nils Palmieri and Julien Villion will be on the minds of all the crews in the running, as well as the desire to join Armel Le Cléac'h and Charlotte Yven in the very exclusive rank of double winners of the Transat Paprec.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

An 'early bird' rate is offered to competitors registering before September 23, 2026 , then a preferential rate until October 31, 2026 .