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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Paris:20260508T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Paris:20260510T170000
DTSTAMP:20260504T063355
CREATED:20151117T174103Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250826T145056Z
UID:1490-1778227200-1778432400@www.challengeocean.com
SUMMARY:Racing Tour de Belle-Ile onboard a Volvo 60
DESCRIPTION:Racing Tour de Belle-Ile onboard a crewed Volvo 60. The Tour de Belle-île is the largest French sailing race in terms of number of participating boats. It will once again bring together amateurs and professionals sailors on the same starting line on May 9th\, 2026.\n \nFriendship\, simplicity and pleasures … These are the maxims of this sailing race where hundreds of yachts will be on the lane in the Quiberon Bay. You can also be part of it as a crew member on board Libertalia. \nOne and only one start lane for all boats. All kinds will meet at one time\, 60′ Open Imoca\, Class 40\, multihulls from Ultim Class and Ocean 50\, legends and cruising boats. \nRacing Tour de Belle Ile\nTo live this wonderful regatta around the Isle of Belle-Ile\, we have programmed a 3 days sailing course\, all inclusive. Program starts in Lorient\, delivering and training to La Trinité sur Mer and race on saturday. On Sunday\, heading back to home port of Lorient. Note that boarding the Volvo 60 is a racing unit with the most spartan comfort. \nPractical informations\nPeriod: 3 days\nDates: from 8th til 10th of May 2026\nStop over: La Trinité sur Mer (nights on the 8th and 9th)\nStart of the race : 9th of May 2026\nYacht: Libertalia – Volvo 60\nPrice: 1750 euros per crew member\, fullboard included\nLicence: FFVoile competition and medical certificate compulsory.\nOne can subscribe licence to our Club CHALLENGE OCEAN. \nMore informations on “le Tour de Belle Ile“… \nWant more informations or book a bunk\, get in touch :\n\n\n  \n\n\n\nYour name*\n \n\n \nYour first name*\n \n\n \nYour email*\n \n\n \nPhone\n \n\n \nYour sailing course request*\n \n\n \n\n Δ
URL:https://www.challengeocean.com/en/navigation/racing-tour-de-belle-ile-onboard-a-volvo-60/
CATEGORIES:Coastal Sailing Course,Racing Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.challengeocean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/depart-tour-de-belle-ile-2025-2.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Paris:20260513T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Paris:20260517T170000
DTSTAMP:20260504T063355
CREATED:20240104T112817Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T132215Z
UID:8807-1778659200-1779037200@www.challengeocean.com
SUMMARY:Armen Race as a crew member aboard a Volvo 60
DESCRIPTION:The Armen Race as a crew member aboard a Volvo 60 for a 310 nautical mile loop in the Bay of Biscay. Departing from and arriving at La Trinité-sur-Mer via Western Sein*\, Belle Île and Île d’Yeu.\n* Ar-Men lighthouse\, hence the name of the race \nOrganised by the Société Nautique de La Trinité-sur-Mer (SNT)\, the Armen Race is a not-to-be-missed race on the Atlantic seaboard. This twelfth edition of the biggest ocean race in France is an opportunity for enlightened amateurs to sail alongside professionals on a course that may hold some surprises\, but always in a friendly atmosphere. In 2022\, 227 crews\, or 828 racers\, took the start of one of the three courses along the western coast: the Nuit de l’Armen (131 miles)\, the Armen Race (310 miles) or the Armen Ultim (370 miles). \nCrew member on the offshore Armen Race\nWe’re offering you the chance to crew Libertalia\, a 19.50m racing monohull built for the Volvo Ocean Race. Supervised by four professional sailors (skipper Captain 200 Sail\, second-in-command\, navigator\, number 1)\, the spirit of competition is essential to take part as a crew member in such an event\, whatever your level. This is your chance to take on the fleet in ‘offshore’ mode and to experience some extraordinary moments together as a crew member. \nYou’ll be on board for around 5 days. You will embark at Lorient La Base to sail to La Trinité-sur-Mer\, where the Armen Race will start. The delivery trip gives the crew a chance to get to know each other\, get to grips with the boat and assess each other’s skill levels. After the race\, the return trip will be a delivery trip from La Trinité-sur-Mer to Lorient. \nPractical information\nDates: from 13th til 17th of May 2026\nDuration: 5 days*\nBoarding & disembarkation: Lorient La Base\nStart of the race : 15th of May (to be confirmed by the SNT)\nYacht: Libertalia – Crewed Volvo 60\nTraining: handholding on the way to La Trinité-sur-Mer\nPrice: 2450€\nIncluded: full board\, equipments\nLicense FFVoile Competition: compulsory \nAs a crew member racing\, you must have a licence from the Fédération Française de Voile (French Sailing Federation)\, and be medically fit to compete in a sailing boat. You can take out a licence with the Club CHALLENGE OCEAN. \n* Duration subject to weather conditions and course modifications by the organisers. \nPhotos credit Thierry Martinez. \nFor any information request or to book\, please send us a message:\n\n\n  \n\n\n\nYour name*\n \n\n \nYour first name*\n \n\n \nYour email*\n \n\n \nPhone\n \n\n \nYour sailing course request*\n \n\n \n\n Δ
URL:https://www.challengeocean.com/en/navigation/armen-race-as-a-crew-member-aboard-a-volvo-60/
CATEGORIES:Offshore Sailing Course,Racing Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.challengeocean.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/armen-race-as-a-crew-member.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Paris:20260601T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Paris:20260618T170000
DTSTAMP:20260504T063355
CREATED:20260323T111644Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T131919Z
UID:9905-1780300800-1781802000@www.challengeocean.com
SUMMARY:Offshore sailing course to Scotland
DESCRIPTION:Offshore sailing course to Scotland aboard a 21-metre crewed sailing yacht. This sailing programme to the Inner Hebrides lasts 18 days. It combines the open sea with exploring islands and off-the-beaten-track destinations. They all have one thing in common: they are Celtic\, just like Brittany\, our home! To name just a few that you’re likely to come across on your journey – the Isles of Scilly\, the Isle of Man\, Islay\, Jura\, Mull – they all have a sense of authenticity\, of nature in its wildest form. Ireland should not be left out\, depending on the weather conditions and sailing times. \nOffshore cruise to Scotland\nThe sailing areas are interesting and varied\, well-suited to our Challenge 67s\, the former crewed round-the-world boats that sailed against prevailing winds. Whether in the Celtic Sea\, the Irish Sea\, or the St George’s Channel… the open sea and nature await you! \nSupervised by two professional sailors\, both qualified as Captain 200 Sailing and holders of the State Certificate\, each crew member plays an active role in the running of the yacht and life on board. At sea\, navigation operates on a 24-hour basis. On-board duties are organised into watches. You will therefore be required to stand navigation watches\, approximately 10 hours per 24-hour period. In addition\, you will also be required to stand galley watches\, including cooking\, washing up\, weather monitoring\, etc. Our vessels deliberately do not use autopilots or furling systems. This is\, in fact\, one of the best ways to discover offshore sailing. \nCrossing the English Channel\, the Celtic Sea\, the St George’s Channel…\nAround 800 nautical miles separate Lorient from the west of Scotland\, the end point of the first part of the sailing programme. For the first part\, perhaps you’ll head straight for the Fastnet? Or\, depending on the situation\, via the Fromveur Islands or the Isles of Scilly. These first few days will allow you to learn the basics of sailing\, including a Channel crossing.\nTaking weather conditions and forecasts into account is a key factor. Throughout your voyage\, these will determine the choice of route and ports of call. This applies whether you are ‘sailing up’ along the coast of Ireland or ‘sailing down’ from Scotland via the St George’s Channel\, between Ireland and England. \nSimilarly\, stopovers and moorings on the Aran Islands\, Islay\, Jura or Mull will be discussed with the crew\, under the authority of the Captain (Skipper). Who knows\, perhaps you’ll get to meet the distillers… “Come for the whisky\, return for the island\,” say the locals. \nUseful informations\nDuration: 18 days*\nEmbarkation: Lorient\, South Brittany\nDisembarkation: Lorient\, South Brittany\nItinerary: Ireland / Western Scotland – 1\,500–2\,000 nautical miles\nLevel: experienced crew member\nDates: 1–18 June 2026\nBoat: Albatros – Challenge 67 with skipper and mate\nPrice: €3\,250\, including provisions (breakfast\, lunch\, dinner\, consumables)\nFFV licence not included and personal expenses during stopovers.\nAs an affiliate of the French Sailing School with the French Sailing Federation\, we can issue your Club CHALLENGE OCEAN licence. \n* Duration subject to weather conditions and stopover authorisations from local authorities. \nPhoto credits: Visit Scotland\, Visit Ireland\, Tim Wright\, Fabrice Pignon\, Yves Renault. \n  \n\nFor any information request or to book\, please send us a message:\n\n\n  \n\n\n\nYour name*\n \n\n \nYour first name*\n \n\n \nYour email*\n \n\n \nPhone\n \n\n \nYour sailing course request*\n \n\n \n\n Δ
URL:https://www.challengeocean.com/en/navigation/offshore-sailing-course-to-scotland/
CATEGORIES:Cruising,Offshore Sailing Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.challengeocean.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/escale-scotland-yves-renault.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Paris:20260707T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Paris:20260717T080000
DTSTAMP:20260504T063355
CREATED:20200107T140645Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260314T101819Z
UID:5345-1783411200-1784275200@www.challengeocean.com
SUMMARY:Crew member racing offshore DRHEAM CUP
DESCRIPTION:Come on board as a crew member racing offshore the sixth edition of the DRHEAM CUP 1000. From Cherbourg-en-Cottentin\, take part in an offshore race of 1000 nautical miles via the Fastnet. Live an offshore racing experience aboard our crewed Volvo 60 in the Open Big Monohull class. Ocean Fifty\, Class 40 and other crewed IRC are also registered on this 1000NM course. In 2022\, Libertalia\, our crewed Volvo 60\, finished first of the race in real time.\nCrew member racing on a XXL offshore race\nThe opportunity to confront you in the fleet and experience exceptional crew moments with training program during delivery and racing over ten days in July 2026. The race will start in Cherbourg-en-Cottentin to race to Lorient.\n\nPart of the great tactical course of 1000 nautical miles in IRC0\, we’ll sail along the Ocean Fifty\, the Class 40 and IRC. The first part takes place in the English Channel. Then\, we will bypass the Scilly to “climb” in the Irish Sea and roll up the impressive Fastnet rock with its lighthouse.\n\nThen\, it will be « downhill » to the Isles of Scilly with probably a mark of course to leave on an edge. The last part of the race will end off or along the Brittany coast to cross the finish line in front of Lorient.\nA crew engaged in offshore racing mode\nWe propose you to be part of the crew aboard a Volvo 60 to race the DHREAM CUP 1000. Supervised by four professional sailors (skipper Captain 200\, second\, tactician\, N°1)\, the spirit of competition is essential to engage as a crew member in such an event\, whatever your level.\n\nBoarding duration is 11 days. You will embark in Lorient La Base to reach Cherbourg-en-Cottentin from where the DRHEAM CUP will start. While delivering the boat\, team members will be able to know each other and assess each other’s levels.\nUseful informations\n\nA prologue will be run from Cherbourg-en-Cottentin. This coastal course will allow each team member to find their marks on board\, a sort of warm-up lap in racing condition\, before setting off to race the DRHEAM CUP 1000! \n\nDates: July 7-17\, 2026\nDuration: 10 days*\nEmbarkation & disembarkation: Lorient La Base\nPrologue: July 11th\nStart of the race: July 12th\nYacht: Libertalia – Volvo 60 with professional crew\nTraining: delivering from Lorient to Cherbourg and during the prologue\nSailing instructions: to be listed\nPrice: € 4\,450\nIncluded: full board\, equipments\, entry fees\nFFVoile Competition license : compulsory\n\nCrew member in the race\, you must be licensed with French Sailing Federation\, with medical aptitude for sailing competition. Affiliated as French Cruising School with the FFVoile\, you can subscribe your sailing license to the CHALLENGE OCEAN Club.\n\nCrédit photos : Thierry Martinez – Rick Tomlinson\n\n* Duration subject to weather conditions and route modification by the organization.\n\n\nFrench Open Offshore Racing\nNew breath in the world of sailing\, this race brings together passionate amateur crews and tenors in offshore racing. Organized by Jacques CIVILISE and his Drheam Promotion team since 2016\, this sixth edition is clearly positioned as the French Fastnet. It takes place alternately with the prestigious Rolex Fastnet Race which runs once every two years\, in odd years\, starting from Cowes on the Isle of Wight.\n\nAccess to the DHREAM CUP website\n\nFor any information request or to book\, please send us a message:\n\n\n  \n\n\n\nYour name*\n \n\n \nYour first name*\n \n\n \nYour email*\n \n\n \nPhone\n \n\n \nYour sailing course request*\n \n\n \n\n Δ\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n 
URL:https://www.challengeocean.com/en/navigation/crew-member-racing-offshore-drheam-cup/
LOCATION:Pôle Course au Large\, Port BSM\, Lorient\, 56100\, France
CATEGORIES:Offshore Sailing Course,Racing Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.challengeocean.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fastnet-libertalia-2025.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Paris:20260804T083000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Paris:20260821T170000
DTSTAMP:20260504T063355
CREATED:20211228T151535Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260312T083424Z
UID:6970-1785832200-1787331600@www.challengeocean.com
SUMMARY:Crew member racing Round Britain & Ireland Race 2026
DESCRIPTION:Embark as a crew member racing the Round Britain and Ireland Race 2026. A voyage on board the Volvo 60 Libertalia for nearly 2000 nautical miles around Ireland and Great Britain. This crewed offshore race only takes place once every four years\, so make the most of it!\nA committed and technical offshore course\n\n\n\nThe Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes\, Isle of Wight\, will set start on August 9\, 2026. After the Solent and the Needles\, the “salty” adventure continues in the Celtic Sea. On Ireland’s rugged west coast\, the course markers are Fastnet Rock and Mizen Head. The Atlantic race continues past St Kilda to the northernmost point of the course\, Muckle Flugga on the 61st parallel. Then\, turning south across the North Sea\, the fleet plunged along the east coast of England. The Channel and the Solent form the final stages of the race.\n\nAn offshore sailing race like no other\n\n\n“This is not a race like any other in the Royal Ocean Racing Club program\,” said race director Chris Stone. “It’s a very difficult race in remote places with a lot of navigation work required\, not to mention the tides. The qualifying process combined with the involvement of the crew will translate the success of the competitors. The Round Britain & Ireland is not a race for novices“.\n\n\n\n\nCrew member on a fast and hard race\n\n\nThe Round Britain & Ireland Race is without a doubt one of the toughest pro-am races in the world. A fast and hard race where each crew who takes up the challenge rightly deserves the admiration of any deep-sea sailor. The biggest achievement is to finish the race\, a good result is a bonus.\n\n\nWe invite you to be part of the crew of a Volvo 60\, 19.50m racing monohull to enter the Round Britain & Ireland Race. As a crew member racing round Britain & Ireland Race\, four professional sailors (skipper Captain 200 Sailing\, navigator\, watchkeeper\, tactician) supervize the crew. Spirit of competition is essential.\n\n\n\nGetting involved as a teammate in such an adventure\, whatever your level\, is not trivial. Libertalia is a powerful and extreme racing sailboat. It is a demanding and powerful unit\, a Formula 1 of the seas with very spartan comfort.\n\nDuration of boarding is 18 days. You will embark at Lorient La Base to deliver from Brittany to the Isle of Wight from where the race begins. Delivering* allows teammates to understand the boat\, get to know each other and assess each ones levels. On board\, the navigation during the race is punctuated by the shift: up\, down and “stand by”.\n\nUseful informations\nDates: from 4th til 21st of August 2026\nDuration: 18 days**\nBoarding: Lorient La Base (FR)\nLanding: Lorient La Base (FR)\nStart of the race: on the 9th of August\nRacing boat: Libertalia – Volvo 60 avec équipage professionnel\nRace website: Round Britain & Ireland Race\nPrice: 6575€\nIncluded: entry fees\, full board and equipments\nRacing sailing licence FFVoile: compulsory \n* Qualification when delivering to Cowes to be confirmed by RORC.\n** Duration subject to weather conditions and date modifications by the organization. \nWorld Sailing course (ex ISAF)\nAt least 1/3 of the crew must have completed the World Sailing course (ex ISAF) which is valid for 5 years. If you wish to follow this 2-day training (sea survival\, fire\, medical\, etc.)\, you can take it at CEPS in Lorient.\nAs a teammate racing\, you need to have French sailing licence (or World Sailing licence) with medical certificat for racing. Affiliated to French Sailing Association\, you can subscribe your licence with us. \n\n\n\n\nFor any information request or to book\, please send us a message:\n\n\n  \n\n\n\nYour name*\n \n\n \nYour first name*\n \n\n \nYour email*\n \n\n \nPhone\n \n\n \nYour sailing course request*\n \n\n \n\n Δ
URL:https://www.challengeocean.com/en/navigation/crewmember-racing-round-britain-ireland-race-2026/
LOCATION:Base de Sous-Marins\, Capitainerie BSM\, Lorient\, France
CATEGORIES:Offshore Sailing Course,Racing Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.challengeocean.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/route-round-britain-ireland-race-2022-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Paris:20261106T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Paris:20261115T170000
DTSTAMP:20260504T063355
CREATED:20210819T141406Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T165710Z
UID:6603-1793952000-1794762000@www.challengeocean.com
SUMMARY:Offshore sailing course Brittany Canary onboard a VOR 60
DESCRIPTION:Offshore sailing course from Brittany to the Canary islands with an 8 to 10 days boarding. Program for this offshore navigation onboard a crewed VOR 60\, the Bay of Biscay\, then along Portugal to reach the Canary archipelago. With a departure from Lorient and an arrival in Las Palmas\, this stopover is the end of the first leg crossing the Atlantic before the start of the ARC 2026 in which we are participating. \n1300 nautical miles of offshore sailing course Brittany Canary\n\nAs part of the participation of Libertalia\, our crewed VOR 60\, in the Atlantic Ralluy For Cruisers\, the first leg takes place from Lorient to reach Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. This is a participating and committed offshore course to discover offshore navigation aboard a racing sailboat. It includes a first part of the Atlantic crossing. Committing as a crew member aboard Libertalia\, whatever your level\, is not trivial. Moreover\, it is a performing and extreme racing sailboat. It is a demanding and powerful unit. In fact\, it is a Formula 1 of the seas with very spartan comfort. \nCommitted crew member aboard a VOR 60\n\nThe first part of this offshore sailing course from Brittany to Canary Islands will take you to Cape Finisterre crossing the Bay of Biscay. We will then find the best route to reach the Canary Islands\, either along the Portuguese coast or further offshore depending on the weather conditions. \n8 to 10 days of navigation in the Atlantic Ocean\, punctuated by ascending\, descending and stand-by shifts. Everyone actively participates in running the sailboat\, supervised by 4 professional sailors.\n\nAnd for those who wish to continue riding the Atlantic in a race\, possibility to participate to the ARC\, Atlantic Rally For Cruisers. The start will be given on November 23rd\, heading to St Lucia. To find out more about our participation in the RORC Transatlantic Race …\nUseful informations\nDuration: 8/10 days*\nBoarding: Lorient La Base (FR)\nLanding: Las Palmas (ESP)\nNavigation: South Brittany / Canary archipelago\nCrew member: confirmed\nDates: from 6th to 15th of November 2026\nRacing boat: Libertalia – Crewed VOR 60\nPrice: 2950€\, full board and equipments included\nSailing licence FFVoile: compulsory\nYou can enter our Club CHALLENGE OCEAN to get your French Sailing license. \n* Crossing time subject to weather conditions. \nAccess to Canary website… \nFor any information request or to book\, please send us a message:\n\n\n  \n\n\n\nYour name*\n \n\n \nYour first name*\n \n\n \nYour email*\n \n\n \nPhone\n \n\n \nYour sailing course request*\n \n\n \n\n Δ
URL:https://www.challengeocean.com/en/navigation/offshore-sailing-course-brittany-canary-onboard-a-vor-60/
CATEGORIES:Offshore Sailing Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.challengeocean.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/libertalia-barre-portant-4.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Paris:20261106T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Paris:20261211T170000
DTSTAMP:20260504T063355
CREATED:20180212T155942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T133209Z
UID:3282-1793952000-1797008400@www.challengeocean.com
SUMMARY:Sail the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers\, crossing the Ocean
DESCRIPTION:Crew member on the ARC 2026\, a crewed Atlantic crossing aboard one of our 21-metre monohulls. Setting sail from Lorient\, you’ll head for Las Palmas on the island of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. After this stopover\, you will set sail for St Lucia as part of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers.\nYou will embark as a crew member on the transatlantic crossing aboard one of our Challenge 67s\, built for crewed round-the-world voyages with stopovers. The boat’s professional crew for this voyage consists of two sailors\, qualified in Merchant Navy and Youth & Sport. They supervise the 10 crew members and ensure safety on board. This is indeed a challenging crossing where everyone plays an active part in the smooth running of the vessel. It is not a cruise: 100% hands-on! \nBeyond the sailing itself\, crossing the Atlantic requires self-sacrifice. It is an opportunity to “let go” of the rhythm of life on land\, to “reconnect with oneself” and enjoy simple pleasures. A real breath of fresh air! \nA two-stage crossing\, from Lorient to Las Palmas\, then on to Saint Lucia\nBoarding takes place at Lorient in southern Brittany. The first leg of this transatlantic crossing covers 1\,300 nautical miles as the crow flies. The itinerary includes the Bay of Biscay in winter\, followed by a descent along the coast of Portugal to reach the Canary Islands. We are stocking up on provisions for 10 days for this voyage. However\, the journey may be faster or slower\, depending on the weather conditions encountered.\nThroughout the crossing\, life on board is organised into three watches\, also known as shift. These navigation watches change every 3 or 4 hours\, amounting to around 9 to 10 hours on duty per 24-hour period. The watches are organised to ensure the smooth running of the vessel\, but also to cover the ship’s duties (cooking\, washing up\, maintenance\, etc.). You may have to endure bad weather\, cold at the start and heat later on. Our crewed vessels deliberately do not use autopilots or furling systems. This is indeed one of the best ways to discover offshore sailing. You must therefore be mentally and physically prepared to take part in a transatlantic crossing. \nCrossing of the Atlantic Ocean on the trade wind route\nAbout a week before the ARC sets sail\, the boat and its crew must be in the port of Las Palmas for the festivities. Then there will be the safety check and briefings before the big leap! During the stopover\, you’ll keep your berth but will be responsible for your own meals ashore.\nEvery year\, more than 1\,000 crew members of 20 different nationalities set sail for the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers… People just like you: some have just taken a sabbatical\, retired or are on holiday to embark on this adventure!\nEveryone is heading for Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. As the organisers explain\, ‘Our definition of a rally is safe and social cruising. We offer an element of friendly competition\, but it isn’t a race!’. We’re allowing 20 days for this Atlantic crossing. Again\, this may be quicker depending on the weather conditions encountered and the quality of the crew. The trade winds aren’t always established when setting off from the Canary Islands and sometimes require heading south towards Cape Verde. In this case\, the distances to be covered are greater. \nCrossing the Atlantic Ocean remains an adventure. Transatlantic crossings have become more common place in recent years. However\, it remains the achievement of a lifetime\, which we look forward to sharing with you. \nStage 1: Southern Brittany / Canary Islands\nEmbarkation: Lorient on 5 November 2026 (arrival the previous afternoon)\nDeparture: 6 November 2026\nDuration: 10 days**\nVessel: Albatros – Challenge 67\nSailing: offshore\nStopover: Las Palmas\, Gran Canaria – ETA* 16 November 2026\nPrice: €2\,350 per crew member\, including provisions (breakfast\, lunch\, dinner\, consumables)\nLicence: FFVoile and medical certificate required \nStage 2: Atlantic Rally for Cruisers\, from the Canary Islands to Saint Lucia in the West Indies\nARC start: 22 November 2026\nPort of arrival: Rodney Bay Marina in Saint Lucia*** – ETA* 11 December 2026\nDuration: 20 days**\nBoat: Albatros – Crewed Challenge 67\nPrice: €5\,850 per crew member\, including provisions (breakfast\, lunch\, dinner\, consumables)\nARC fees: each crew member must pay the ‘crew member’ registration fee to the organisers\n(approximately €200 depending on the pound/euro exchange rate).\nLicence: FFVoile licence and medical certificate compulsory\nPrice for stage 2 only: €6\,850 per crew member\, including full board. \n* ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival\n** Sailing times and arrival dates are provided for information only.\nWe therefore strongly advise you to book a flexible return flight ticket rather than a non-refundable one.\n*** It is possible to sail to Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe. Please contact us. \nFFVoile Licence\nFor those who wish\, we can issue your FFVoile licence. A Plaisance booklet may be provided to validate your skills.\nFor more information\, visit the Club Challenge Ocean… \nCommunication on board\nCommunication facilities on board are reserved for safety purposes. Iridium satellite phone or email connections are therefore not available. Before you set off\, please inform your loved ones that you will only be reachable once your crossing is complete. Our team only contacts families on shore in the event of a problem on board. So no news is good news! Please note\, a call from us does not necessarily mean a serious accident has occurred\, but you may receive updates via our social media channels: Facebook – Instagram – Photo credits: Tim Wright – Frédéric Schneider \nARC 2026 updates\nThe boat is equipped with a Yellow Brick for the duration of its participation in the ARC.\nTo track the Atlantic crossing\, download the YB Races app to your smartphone or visit the ARC website. \nFor any information request or to book\, please send us a message:\n\n\n  \n\n\n\nYour name*\n \n\n \nYour first name*\n \n\n \nYour email*\n \n\n \nPhone\n \n\n \nYour sailing course request*\n \n\n \n\n Δ
URL:https://www.challengeocean.com/en/navigation/sail-the-atlantic-rally-for-cruisers/
LOCATION:Pôle Course au Large\, Port BSM\, Lorient\, 56100\, France
CATEGORIES:Atlantic Crossing,Offshore Sailing Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.challengeocean.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/albatros-grand-monocoque-genois.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Paris:20261118T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Paris:20261206T170000
DTSTAMP:20260504T063355
CREATED:20241213T114221Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T111110Z
UID:9267-1794988800-1796576400@www.challengeocean.com
SUMMARY:Racing the ARC\, crew member aboard a Volvo 60
DESCRIPTION:Racing on the ARC 2026. Embark on a race across the Atlantic on the Atlantic Rally For Cruisers as a crew member aboard a crewed VOR 60. From Las Palmas\, the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers will set sail for St Lucia in the West Indies! \nYou’ll be embarking as a crew member racing the ARC aboard Libertalia\, a monohull built for the Volvo Ocean Race\, the crewed round-the-world race with stopovers. You are supervised by a professional crew with Merchant Navy and Youth & Sport qualifications. They are responsible for the organisation\, supervision\, training and safety on board. \nThe Volvo 60\, a crewed round-the-world racing yacht\n\n\nThis racing yacht is an extreme boat\, a Formula 1 of the seas with very spartan comfort. Libertalia is a demanding and powerful boat\, lined up for ocean racing starts\, and rated in IRC0. Rigged as a sloop with a carbon mast\, the VOR 60 has a large and varied wardrobe! Up front\, you’re spoilt for choice: J1\, J2\, J3\, J4\, asymmetric spinnaker\, code zero… The mainsail is full batten. \nYou’ll be racing the ARC 2026 as part of a corenthian crew\, covering a theoretical 2800 nautical miles. Supervised by four professional sailors (captain\, first mate\, navigator\, watch leader)\, crew members are strongly advised to attend to the World Sailing course\, a 3-day training course covering fire\, medical and survival at sea. For the crew of Libertalia\, it’s all about sailing well and experiencing this brilliant transatlantic race from the inside! “Finishers first”\, as the English say. \n\nRacing the ARC\, crew member of Atlantic Rally For Cruisers\n\n\nWe’re talking about a committed voyage where everyone plays an active part in the smooth running of the boat: 100% participative! Libertalia is a racing boat\, with no autopilot or furlers on the headsails. Throughout the crossing\, life on board is organised into three watches\, also known as “shift”. These sailing watches change every 3 or 4 hours\, for the smooth running of the ship as well as for stewardship and rest. \nOver and above the sailing\, crossing the Atlantic demands self-sacrifice and resilience. It’s an opportunity to “let go” of the pace of life on land\, to “reconnect” with yourself and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. A competitive spirit is essential for such an event. \nYou may have to put up with bad weather\, cold\, heat\, squall… So you need to be psychologically and physically ready to take part in a transatlantic race. \n\nAn oceanic transatlantic race\, on the trade wind route\n\nApproximately one week before the start of the ARC\, the yacht and her crew must be present in the harbour of Las Palmas for the festivities\, the safety check and the briefings before the big jump! Every year\, more than 1\,000 crew members of 20 different nationalities embark on the Atlantic Rallye for Cruisers. People like you: some have just taken a sabbatical year\, their retirement or holidays to try their hand at the adventure! \nAll of them are heading for Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. Libertalia is entered in the ARC in the Racing division. We’re allowing around 15 days for this Atlantic crossing. However\, it could be quicker depending on the weather conditions and the quality of the crew. The trade winds aren’t always established at the start of the Canaries and sometimes require us to dive southwards towards Cape Verde. In these cases\, the distance to be covered is greater. \nCrossing the Atlantic Ocean remains an adventure. Democratised over the last few years\, a transatlantic race remains the feat of a lifetime that we’re keen to share with you. \nPossibility to sail the first leg from Lorient in Southern Brittany\, 1300 nautical miles on a direct course. This first offshore sailing course will enable you to train and will take you to the island of Gran Canaria in the Canaries. More details here. \nPractical informations\nStart of the ARC:  22nd of November 2026\nBoarding: 18th of November 2026 in Las Palmas\nPort of arrival: Rodney Bay Marina in St Lucia – ETA* 6th of December 2026\nDuration: 15 days**\nYacht: Libertalia – Volvo 60\nPrice: 8350 euros / Crew member\, full board included (food\, drings\, petrol\,  déjeuner\, dîner\, consumables)\nLicense : FFVoile and medical certificat required\nARC fees: Yacht fees for Libertalia is included\nEach crew member must pay a team registration fee to the organisers (approximately €200 depending on the exchange rate between pounds and euros). \n* ETA : Estimated Time of Arrival\n** Sailing durations and arrival dates are given for information only.\nWe strongly advise you to book an editable ticket for your return and not a “dry” ticket. \nLicense FFVoile\nIf you wish\, we can issue your FFVoile license. To find out more\, visit the Challenge Ocean Club… \n\n\nTraining course World Sailing (ex ISAF)\nAt least 1/3 of the crew must have completed the World Sailing course (formerly ISAF)\, which is valid for 5 years. If you would like to take this 3-day course (survival at sea\, fire\, medical\, etc)\, you can do so at the CEPS in Lorient in Brtittany.\n\n\nOn-board communication\nOnboard communications are dedicated to onboard safety and weather routing. No news\, good news! Before you leave\, tell your friends and family that you won’t be contactable until the end of your crossing. However\, we do post news from on board via our social networks: Facebook – Instagram \nFollow live ARC 2026\nThe boat is equipped with a Yellow Brick during the ARC.\nTo follow the Atlantic crossing\, download the free YB Races application on your smartphone or visit the ARC website. \nFor further information or to make a reservation\, please send us a message:\n\n\n  \n\n\n\nVotre nom*\n \n\n \nVotre prénom*\n \n\n \nVotre email*\n \n\n \nTéléphone\n \n\n \nVotre demande de stage Voile*\n \n\n \n\n Δ
URL:https://www.challengeocean.com/en/navigation/racing-the-arc-crew-member-aboard-a-volvo-60/
CATEGORIES:Atlantic Crossing,Offshore Sailing Course,Racing Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.challengeocean.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/equipage-libertalia-2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20270301
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270329
DTSTAMP:20260504T063355
CREATED:20220811T143310Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260407T172225Z
UID:7576-1803859200-1806278399@www.challengeocean.com
SUMMARY:Atlantic crossing West Indies to Brittany
DESCRIPTION:Atlantic crossing West Indies to Brittany as a crew member from West to East. Known as Transatlantic or Transat\, crossing the Atlantic Ocean under sail remains an adventure even if it has become more democratic in recent years. The voyage goes from Pointe à Pitre in Guadalupe to Lorient in France. In total\, about 3\,500 nautical miles separate the two lands. \nTransatlantic crew\, a real adventure\n\nWe offer you the opportunity to be a “hired” crew member on board Whirlwind\, one of our crewed Challenge 67s. These are 21m monohulls built for round the world voyage. The passage lasts approximately 28 days. This is a transatlantic\, not a cruise. \nOf course you will be going from hot to cold\, but those who have done both the outward and return transatlantics agree that the return transatlantic is the most interesting. Why is that? Because the sailing requires more manoeuvring. Also\, the weather conditions are more interesting when you stay on the edge of the lows. The fauna present during this navigation in the North Atlantic is also more attractive (whales\, dolphins…). \nOver and above sailing\, crossing the Atlantic requires self-sacrifice. It’s a chance “to let go” of the pace of life on land. Therefore\, you can reconnect with yourself and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. A real breath of fresh air! \nStopover in the Azores on the island of Faial\n\nFor this navigation to France\, a stopover is made in Horta on the island of Faial for the needs of the boat. This break can be for a freshening up\, a technical intervention\, or simply to discover Horta and its surroundings. It depends on the duration of the stopover. \nThis stopover allows us to observe the weather forecast for the second leg. You may possibly have a few days of “stand by” if necessary. Don’t forget to stop off at the famous Peter Cafe Sport for a drink\, to catch up on old times and to prepare your footprint on the quay!\nDepending on the weather conditions and crossing time\, only the skipper\, your professional skipper\, will be able to decide on the length of the stopover. \nA committed Atlantic crossing West Indies to Brittany\n\nYou will embark as a crew member\, supervised by 2 professional sailors\, qualified as Captain 200 Sailors and first mate. Thus\, you will be subjected to navigation watches\, approximately 8 hours per 24 hours. You will also be assigned to watches\, cooking\, washing up\, etc. \nOur ships voluntarily do not use pilot. This is one of the best ways to discover offshore sailing. You may have to put up with bad weather\, hot weather at the beginning\, and cold weather later on in the North Atlantic. Sometimes you may encounter “trouble”. As a transatlantic crew member\, you must be psychologically prepared to participate in a transatlantic race. \nThe means of communication on board are almost non-existent (except for the security of the boat and crew)\, and communication by satellite phone (Iridium) or email is not offered on board. However\, as you approach the coast\, you will use your mobile phone to reassure your loved ones. Before you leave\, tell them that you will only be reachable after your crossing. \nBoarding: Pointe à Pitre in Guadalupe\nLanding: Lorient La Base in Brittany\nDuration: 28 days\nYacht: Albatros – Challenge 67\nPrice: 5800 euros per crewmate\, full board  included (meals\, drinks\, petrol\, consumables)\nLicense: FFVoile and medical certificat (obligatoire).\nYou can subscribe your sailing license to Club CHALLENGE OCEAN. \nIt is also possible to board in mid-March from the Azores\, in Horta on the island of Faial\, if the boat is not full when it leaves the West Indies. To find out more about the schedule and details of this ocean sailing trip from the Azores to Brittany\, contact us. \n\nFor any information request or to book\, please send us a message:\n\n\n  \n\n\n\nYour name*\n \n\n \nYour first name*\n \n\n \nYour email*\n \n\n \nPhone\n \n\n \nYour sailing course request*\n \n\n \n\n Δ
URL:https://www.challengeocean.com/en/navigation/atlantic-crossing-west-indies-to-brittany-2/
LOCATION:Pointe à Pitre\, Guadeloupe
CATEGORIES:Atlantic Crossing,Offshore Sailing Course
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