Organized by the Larmor-Plage based company Azimut, this intenrational competitive sailing event contributes to the attractiveness of the racing pole Lorient La Base.

Maritime excellence of the territory

The premier European offshore racing pole in Lorient trains the best skippers in the world. To do so, the port of Lorient offers the Sailing valley, a powerful ecosystem around offshore racing in particular and the maritime sector in general. In a logical move, Lorient Agglomération has strengthened its support for four years for this international competition. The Azimuth Challenge thus becomes the Azimut Challenge Lorient Agglomeration bringing with it financial aid that reaches € 90,000 or 28% of the overall estimated budget. "The new name of this now international competition mentioning Lorient Agglomération will consolidate Lorient as the best place in the world in offshore racing," says Fabrice Loher, president of Lorient Agglomeration and mayor of Lorient.

A major race

The AZIMUT CHALLENGE-LORIENT AGGLOMÉRATION will be an official trial for 4 years in the IMOCA Globe Series World Championship, the only event in Brittany to bring together the 60-foot IMOCA class. 14 entered duos and 16 boats will compete on different formats (speed runs, 700-mile-long course in doubles and Tour de Groix). The first event scheduled as part of the "Rendez-vous de la mer" (Ocean meetings) series proposed by Audelor and Lorient Port Center, will bring together for five days in Lorient a handsome collection of new and experienced IMOCA-class boats. This festive event will once again give the opportunity to all the actors of ocean sailing to gather around hotly disputed regattas, just a few weeks before the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre, the highlight of the season

14 shock duos

Starting this year, the DEFI AZIMUT-LORIENT AGGLOMERATION enters the 2021-25 IMOCA Globe Series Championship as a coefficient 1 race. At the end of the 48-hour Azimuth (September 16 and 17), competitors will be able to earn points: 

11th HOUR RACING 1: Justine Mettraux (SUI) - Simon Fisher (GBR)
11th HOUR RACING 2: Charlie Enright (USA) – Pascal Bidégorry (FRA)
APIVIA: Charlie Dalin (FRA) - Paul Meilhat (FRA)
ARKÉA PAPREC: Sébastien Simon (FRA) - Yann Eliès (FRA)
VALLÉE OFFICE: Louis Burton (FRA) - Davy Baudart (FRA)
COMPAGNIE DU LIT-JILITI: Clément Giraud (FRA) - Erik Nigon (FRA)
CORUM L'ÉPARGNE: Nicolas Troussel (FRA) – Sébastien Simon (FRA)
FORTINET-BEST WESTERN: Romain Attanasio (FRA) – Sébastien Marsset (FRA)
APICIL GROUP: Damien Seguin (FRA) – Benjamin Dutreux (FRA)
GROUP SÉTIN-4MYPLANET: Manu Cousin (FRA) - Alexia Barrier (FRA)
INITIATIVES-HEART: Samantha Davies (GBR) - Nicolas Lunven (FRA)
LA MIE CALINE-ARTIPOLE CRAFTSMEN: Arnaud Boissières – FRA) - Rodolphe Sépho (FRA)
LINKEDOUT: Thomas Ruyant (FRA) - Morgan Lagravière (FRA)
MASCF: Isabelle Joschke (FRA) - Alain Gautier (FRA)

Conferences, round tables, awards ceremony, concerts.... It will be a boating bonanza at the Port of Lorient La Base: see you from September 14 to admire all the IMOCA-class boats!

© Yvan Zedda / Défi Azimut 

SMARTAPPART, the housing solution in the city of Lorient

The SMARTAPPART residential hotel is a budget alternative to hotels in the city of Lorient: rates are discounted starting from two nights. Its furnished and connected apartments are suitable for any type of stay, short, medium or long term. For your business or family trips, SMARTAPPART welcomes you 24/7.

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