From 12 to 15 August, Lorient hosts the Grand Prix of the ETF26 Series for the very first time. A free, fully accessible event that promises to offer the people of Lorient a beautiful spectacle.
The biggest names in sailing on the start line
The GP Lorient brings together the international sailing elite. Several names will resonate with sailing fans.
Tim Mourniac, reigning ETF26 European Champion and NACRA17 Vice World Champion, will be on the start line with Team Pro. Franck Cammas, a long-standing figure in the ETF26 class, will join Matthieu Salomon on board Entreprises du Morbihan for this home Grand Prix. Blueshift Sailing Team will feature Charles Dorange, a local sailor and currently second in the overall championship standings. Erwan Fischer and Clément Péquin — the first French sailors ever to win the 49er World Championship : will race on board Team Sport Bams. K-Challenge Akademy enters two boats: one bringing together young French sailors from the Youth America’s Cup programme, the other fielding an all-female crew from the Women’s America’s Cup programme. Finally, Sansin Racing Team, an international crew from Canada, Australia and New Zealand, will once again confirm their status as one of the circuit’s most consistent forces.
A boat born in Lorient
There is something particularly meaningful about this homecoming. The ETF26 was designed and built in Lorient. Half of the circuit’s teams are based here. So are many of the class’s partners. As Maxime Grimard, Class Manager of the ETF26 Series, puts it: “Lorient is an important event for us. That’s where the boat was born, where it was designed. Half of the teams are based there, as are the class’s partners. It’s the first time we’ve been able to bring foiling catamarans this fast and impressive to Lorient. We’re not SailGP yet : but we’re the closest thing to it in France.”
The involvement of Lorient Agglomération as a partner of this Grand Prix reflects a shared ambition. For Fabrice Loher, President of Lorient Agglomération and Mayor of Lorient: “Hosting the GP Lorient ETF26 Series is fully in line with Lorient Agglomération’s strategy for international influence. This event highlights what makes our territory strong: recognised maritime expertise, a world-class nautical industry and the ability to host top-level sporting events. Through this competition, we are affirming Lorient’s position as a global maritime destination of reference — attractive for athletes, businesses, investors and the general public alike.”
K-Challenge Akademy, with two boats on the start line, shares this sense of pride. For Léo Chapalain, Head of K-Challenge Akademy: “Racing a GP ETF26 in Lorient has a special resonance for us. This is where we are based and where we support our athletes on their journey to the highest level. Being able to race at home, in front of our ecosystem, our partners and the people of Lorient, gives this event an extra dimension. The ETF26 is a remarkable training platform : it develops the reflexes, precision and culture of flight that the next generation of sailors need. Welcoming the circuit to Lorient fits very naturally into what we build every day with the Akademy: training, developing and preparing our athletes for the demands of top-level sailing.”
A source of local pride —:and a unique opportunity for the people of Lorient to see boats they helped bring to life racing on their own waters.
The 4th stop of an international championship
GP Lorient is part of an ambitious calendar. It marks the fourth stop of the 2026 season, following events held in Spain and twice in Italy on Lake Garda. For the ETF26 class, returning to France : and to Lorient in particular:— is a long-awaited moment. “We bring the racing sailors. The ambition is to offer something unique to Lorient, over a high-profile weekend,” adds Maxime Grimard.
Practical information
📅 Dates: 12–15 August 2026
⚓ Boat access: visible and accessible to the public on the pontoons of the Quai de la Base
🌊 Race area: visible from the Plage de Gâvres
📱 Live updates: race schedules and real-time information on @etf26series
🌐 Website: etf26.com
