Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race

A race that has become unmissable

Created in 2018 by the Sea to See organization and the IMOCA class, the Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race has grown fast — very fast. In eight years, it has evolved from a low-key event to a major fixture on the IMOCA Globe Series circuit, where the cards are reshuffled each spring.

The trajectory speaks for itself:

• 2018 (Douarnenez-Cascais): six solo sailors at the start, victory for Paul Meilhat on SMA.
• 2019 (Douarnenez-Brest): the fleet explodes to 17 competitors. Sébastien Simon wins on Arkéa-Paprec.
• 2022 (Brest-Brest): record participation with 24 skippers. Charlie Dalin (Apivia) dominates from start to finish.
• 2023 (Brest-Brest): a double-handed interlude to prepare for the Transat Jacques Vabre. The duo Thomas Ruyant / Morgan Lagravière wins on For People.

In 2026, back to basics. Solo, a demanding Atlantic triangle, and a fleet that promises to be deep. The deep-ocean warm-up returns to its roots.

The Atlantic triangle starting from Port-la-Forêt

A change of scenery for this edition: the race village will be set up in Port-la-Forêt, the historic epicenter of French offshore racing, where teams, designers, and the smell of resin are concentrated. The theoretical course covers approximately 1,200 to 1,300 miles and follows a triangular route designed to put the IMOCA 60s through their paces.

Key stages

• Start from Port-la-Forêt: tight coastal navigation, treacherous currents, heavy traffic. No room for dozing off.
• Climb toward Fastnet Rock: low-pressure systems coming from the North Atlantic impose heavy tactical choices from the first 24 hours. This is often where the race takes shape.
• Descent to the "Gallimard" waypoint: a virtual mark positioned offshore, generally at the height of Cape Finisterre or west of Pointe du Raz. The foilers unleash their power downwind — this is the segment where gaps widen.
• Sprint back to Brittany: sometimes erratic winds, uncertainty until the finish line. Nerves count as much as knots.

Close-hauled, reaching, VMG downwind: all points of sail are tested. Exactly what's needed to validate a boat after a winter in the boatyard.

Solo, the ultimate format

After the double-handed interlude of 2023, the 2026 edition returns to solo racing — the format that defines the DNA of the IMOCA class. One skipper, one 60-foot boat, and the sea.

A few specifics to note:

• Technical assistance allowed: unlike the Vendée Globe, technical stops are possible (often accompanied by a penalty or minimum time). The objective: allow teams to make their machines reliable at the start of the season without turning the race into a mechanical lottery.
• Multimedia content required: each skipper must provide daily images and testimonials to feed the live coverage. An issue that has become central for partners.
• Start set for May 3, 2026: positioned in the heart of spring, conducive to varied but manageable conditions.

Find the complete IMOCA season calendar on spencer.club.

Expected favorites

The final entry list is not yet finalized, but the fleet should gather between 12 and 15 solo sailors — Port-la-Forêt's hosting capacity being a natural limiting factor. Names being mentioned:

• Thomas Ruyant — Defending champion (2023, double-handed), winner of the 2022 Route du Rhum and 2023 Transat Jacques Vabre. He'll want to prove that his recent dominance also holds in solo racing, on his Koch/Finot-Conq design.
• Charlie Dalin — Winner in 2022, circuit metronome. After dominating that season, he'll be looking to regain control in the short format.
• Jérémie Beyou — Second in 2022 and 2023 on Charal. He knows this technical course in Breton waters like the back of his hand.
• Sam Goodchild — Third in 2023, IMOCA Globe Series champion the same year. His consistency makes him a credible victory candidate.

In the background: the duel between the new generation of foilers (launched for the 2024-2028 cycle) and the 2020 boats, optimized during the winter. Two philosophies, two eras, one racing ground.

What's really at stake

The season's first crash test

Foil modifications, new sail inventories, revised onboard systems — everything imagined in design offices and hangars during the winter gets its full-scale trial. For technical directors, the Bermudes 1000 Race is the moment of truth. Reliability trumps pure performance.

The race for miles toward the 2028 Vendée Globe

Every mile sailed in competition counts toward qualification. Finishing is imperative to accumulate points in the IMOCA Globe Series championship and secure a ticket for the next round-the-world race.

The battle of architectures

The Atlantic triangle is an impartial judge. Will "scow" hulls with round bows, formidable reaching machines, be favored over more versatile designs in light air? Average speeds have jumped from 11.8 knots in 2019 to over 16 knots in 2023. The evolution is dizzying — and it's not over.

An economic engine for Finistère

The event generates direct economic benefits estimated at over one million euros for the Pays Fouesnantais. Offshore racing doesn't just inspire dreams: it irrigates a region, creates activity, and strengthens the bond between sport and Brittany.

Compare the competing boats and follow the race news on spencer.club.