The 8th season of the ETF26 Series kicked off in spectacular style at Quiberon from April 9 to 12, offering four days of adrenaline-fueled racing to a global lineup of talented sailors. Teams from France, England, New Zealand, and Italy converged on the sunny Breton coast, taking advantage of perfect wind conditions to deliver a high-octane show for sailing enthusiasts.
In total, 19 races were contested, with the defending champions from Entreprises du Morbihan (led by skipper Matthieu Salomon alongside Franck Cammas and Valentin Bellet) clinching their second consecutive Quiberon title. Their biggest challenge came from K-Challenge Blue, one of two brand-new teams that immediately made its mark on the circuit. Meanwhile, other top contenders like BlueShift Sailing Team continued to impress, showcasing the vibrant competitiveness that defines the class.
Team Bro, led by Tim Mourniac alongside Erwann Fischer and Clement Pequin (fresh off a gold medal in the 49er class in Majorca the previous week), also turned heads. “It’s always a pleasure to race here in Quiberon, at my home club, against such high-performing teams!” Mourniac remarked.
Bruno Dubois, co-CEO of K-Challenge, emphasized the importance of mentorship within the group:
“For development, you need to practice on the water again and again, but you also need to observe and learn from those with more expertise. In that regard, Quentin Delapierre and his crew—Kevin Péponnet, Mathieu Vandame, Jason Saunders, and Timothé Lapauw, who will rotate throughout the season—will act as mentors. They’ll share their knowledge and experience with Lou Mourniac’s team, just as we did during the last America’s Cup. This setup also allows Quentin’s squad to stay race-ready between SailGP events, a benefit for team cohesion and performance.”
Organized by the ETF26 Series with support from ASNQ and ENVSN, the GP Quiberon has reaffirmed its status as a favorite stop on the circuit. Next on the calendar is the GP de l’École Navale in Brest, offering the final French venue of the season before teams head to Italy and Spain later in the year
Don’t Miss the Next Events
-
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
