The 11 biggest boat races in the world

Amateur or passionate about nautism, board for the top 10 of the biggest boat races in the world!

In solo or as a team, with or without a stopover, transatlantic crossing or world tour, many are boat races around the world. Hissez la grand sail, Wanderlix offers you the top 10 of the most famous boat races!

1. The Vendée Globe

Considered to date as the largest sailing race around the world, the Vendée Globe is carried out in solitary, no-stop or assistance.

This must-see French race, created in 1989, takes place every 4 years from Les Sables d’Olonne in Vendée (where the arrival also takes place), and brings together the best 60-foot monocoque sailboats.

Moreover, the competition is nicknamed “L’Everest de la mer”, because of its complexity! It is indeed considered the most difficult of the tests for sailors. Logic, when you know the record is 74 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes and 46 seconds.

2. America’s Cup

Sailing nautical competition since 1851, the America Cup is named after the first sailboat winner, the schooner America. Mythical and international, it is one of the oldest sports competitions and its periodicity is variable (between 3 and 5 years).

During this race, the defender , that is, the holder of the cup, puts his title at stake in front of challengers and is responsible for organizing the regattas as it seems.

3. The Route du Rhum

Rather short (a dozen days), this crossing of the Atlantic connects the city of Saint-Malo en Brittany , to Pointe-à-Pitre en Guadeloupe .

Created in 1978, this solo sailing race, which leaves in the footsteps of former merchant boats, takes place every 4 years. His record, established by Francis Joyon during the 2018 edition, is 7 days, 14 hours, 21 minutes and 47 seconds.

4. The Volvo Ocean Race

The monohulls are honoured again with the Ocean Race. This tour of the world by crew on a sailing boat is now carried out every 3 years (since the 2008-2009 edition, replacing every 4 years).

Extreme oceanic Marathon that sees the best sailors in the world’s most difficult seas since 1973, it’s a stage race, 45,000 miles long. If his departure is constantly made of Alicante , the arrival, it, changes host city to each edition.

5. The Trophy Jules Verne

The Jules Verne Trophy is a nautical challenge whose aim is to make the world tour (40,300 km) as quickly as possible, and this non-stop or assistance. The trophy is therefore transmitted only in the event of a new record, currently 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds.

It is therefore every year since 1993 that this crew sailing race takes place, starting from Interesting (Bretagne) to Cap Lizard (United Kingdom).

6. The Solitaire du Figaro

Far from being an ordinary race, the Solitaire du Figaro takes place every year since 1970. This solo sailing race cuts into 3 or 4 stages and never follows the same course.

Moreover, the sailors do not have the choice of their boat, they all have the same. The race is thus open to amateurs.

7. La Transat Jacques-Vabre

Nicknamed the “coffee road”, this transatlantic race is carried out in double (two sailors’ crew) and connects Le Havre at Brazil .

Organised every 2 years since 1993, it lasts from about 10 to 20 days on average. Even though the record of the event only took 7 days, 22 hours and 7 minutes (no matter what).

8. La Tall Ships’ Race

This is an international race of sailing schools , where only boats measuring at least 9.14 meters long face each other. It takes place mainly in Northern Europe (Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic Sea).

The first race took place in 1956, with the aim of promoting international friendship, exchange, and introducing young sailors to the art of navigation.

9. The Fastnet Race

Organised for the first time in 1925, this regatta challenged the world's largest skippers. Sailing race in crew and non-stop, it fights every 2 years (the odd years), between Cowes and Plymouth, in England .

This is one of the most dangerous and challenging nautical races. Indeed, in 1979, no less than 15 sailors left life there following disastrous weather conditions.

10. The Admiral’s Cup

Created in 1957, the Admiral’s Cup is a race off sailboats. It takes place on 6 rounds and a team of 3 sailboats.

Unfortunately, since 2005, and this lack of participants, the race is no longer taking place. But for some time, the desire for a triumphant return from the Admiral’s Cup, which remains one of the most prestigious races at sea, is felt!

11. The Mini Transat: the heart of the redac

Transatlantic race in solitary and without assistance on board monohull boats of 6.50 metres, the Mini Transat was created in 1977. Every two years (in odd years), this crossing takes place in two stages, starting from France.

After Concarneau, Brest Douarnenez, Fort Boyard, or La Rochelle , the start is this year at Les Sables d’Olonne. The browsers take the direction of Canary Islands or Madeira for a 10-day stopover before going to the Antilles.

If this year the race ends in Guadeloupe (as many times before), some editions have closed Antigua , in Martinique, and even Salvador de Bahia at Brazil .