The 2025 season marks a pivotal moment for the ETF26 Series, emphasizes Class Manager Maxime Grimard. “We are at a critical juncture, with significant enhancements aimed at optimizing the boats and integrating competitive new teams.” This year, innovation takes center stage: a boat designed to foil upwind with new foils, the addition of professional teams, and a series of mostly international events, offering an unprecedented season.
An International Event Calendar Maxime Grimard highlights a strategic overhaul of the ETF26 series calendar. “This season, we are reinventing our approach. Beyond our traditional raid in Quiberon, we are organizing a dedicated event, with support from ASNQ for organization and ENVSN for training and boat assembly. It’s a beloved venue for all teams ” he explains with enthusiasm. The competition continues with the Grand Prix at École Navale in Brest, a well-established event with a solid reputation. “It’s truly exciting to start the season with these two quintessentially French events, fully embracing the local ambiance before embarking on farther adventures“.
In a strategic move to enhance the series’ international dimension, three of the five events will take place abroad. After France, the series will visit Lake Garda, renowned for its exceptional sailing conditions. “We will celebrate Foiling Week in June for the fifth consecutive time, followed by the Grand Prix in Riva Del Garda at the end of August, an event exclusively for catamarans, featuring both ETF26 series and M32 ” he adds. The season will culminate with the Grand Prix Mar Menor in Spain from October 15-18, hosting decisive races for the championship title. “This diversity of venues promises a season filled with intense tactical challenges for all teams ” he concludes. It will be very interesting to observe which teams best adapt to the technical evolutions.
2025 Event Calendar:
- Grand Prix Quiberon: April 9-12
- Grand Prix École Navale, Brest: May 28-31
- Foiling Week, Lake Garda: June 25-28
- Grand Prix Riva Del Garda: August 27-30
- Grand Prix Mar Menor: October 15-18
Technological Advancements for the ETF26 Series The ETF26 Series is gearing up for an innovative season with significant technical improvements to the catamarans. “From the first Grand Prix, crews will benefit from enhanced performance thanks to new rudders with expanded planforms and a differential incidence adjustment system,” states Pierre Picot, Director of the ETF26 yard. As the season progresses, new foils, currently being manufactured at Avel Composite in Lorient, will be introduced, marking a crucial change for the class. These changes will allow the boats to foil earlier and in all sailing conditions, particularly upwind, akin to the capabilities of the F50s from the SailGP circuit.
A Committed International Community The ETF26 Series currently serves as an ideal stepping stone to the SailGP circuit and the America’s Cup. In a friendly atmosphere, the circuit brings together young talents looking to hone their skills on these foiling catamarans, as well as top-level teams seeking flight time and tactical situations. This sense of camaraderie combined with cutting-edge technology is the real reason the ETF26 Series continues to attract a competitive fleet, with some teams returning for their fifth year!
Join Us! As the ETF26 Series continues to innovate, the organization is actively seeking class sponsors and has boats available for new teams eager to join the fleet. “This is an exciting time for the class, and we look forward to welcoming new partners and participants who want to experience cutting-edge foiling competition” concludes Maxime. Thanks to the support of North Sails, Harken, and Qaptur, the upcoming season promises not only high-speed thrills and intense battles but also a spirit of innovation that keeps the ETF26 Series at the forefront of competition.
