Trophée BPGO – Sur la route des îles du Ponant

800 miles through rocks, currents, and foils: the Trophée Banque Populaire Grand Ouest returns for a third edition shaping up to be the most ambitious since the race's inception. From 15 to 25 April 2026, Concarneau will be the starting point for an extraordinary tactical slalom among the Ponant islands.

A race that found its place in three editions

The Trophée BPGO didn't need ten years to establish itself. Born from a desire to forge links between the mainland and the islands along the Atlantic coast, supported by Banque Populaire Grand Ouest, the Quimper Cornouaille Chamber of Commerce, the Finistère department, and the Brittany Region, it has become a major fixture on the Figaro Bénéteau circuit in record time.

The race once again features on the French Elite Offshore Racing Championship calendar with a coefficient of 2—enough to whet appetites before the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec and its coefficient of 5 later in the season.

From solo to double-handed: a winning shift

The turning point came in 2024. By switching from solo to double-handed format on Figaro Bénéteau 3s, the organizers bet on crew cohesion and shared strategy. The gamble paid off: the fleet grew from a dozen boats in 2022 to 29 duos on the starting line two years later.

The roll of honour already speaks volumes. Erwan Le Draoulec and Loïs Berrehar inscribed their names on the first edition in 2022. In 2024, Corentin Horeau and Laura Vergne took over on Queguiner la Vie en Rose, confirming that the race attracts—and crowns—top-tier sailors.

800 miles of surgical navigation

The course remains true to the race's DNA: a loop of approximately 800 nautical miles starting and finishing in Concarneau, designed as a territorial voyage between the Chausey archipelago to the north and Île d'Aix to the south. Competitors must round 12 of the 15 Ponant islands—a precision exercise that transforms every mile into a tactical puzzle.

What makes this course formidable

• Intense coastal navigation: tidal currents, site effects, rocks. Zero respite, zero mental autopilot. Vigilance is constant.
• Offshore sections: between islands, more open stretches where the Figaro 3s can exploit their foils and power.
• 5 to 6 days at sea: enough to wear down bodies, test crew compatibility, and open up gaps.

It's this alternation between the precision of coastal sailing and the intensity of open water that gives the Trophée BPGO its unique character. Find the complete Figaro season calendar on spencer.club.

A field built for battle

The 2026 lineup will bring together the circuit's elite, with strong representation from the Pôle Finistère Course au Large in Port-la-Forêt.

• Loïs Berrehar & Charlotte Yven—Sailing under Team Banque Populaire colours, Berrehar returns to his 2022 stomping grounds. His pairing with Charlotte Yven, both products of the skipper Macif training programme, forms a cohesive and formidable duo.
• Corentin Horeau—The defending champion. As comfortable on an Ocean Fifty as an IMOCA, Horeau can do it all. His co-skipper remains to be confirmed, but his name alone carries weight in the fleet.
• Basile Bourgon—3rd in the 2024 French Elite Championship, he embodies the hard-charging new generation. Boat: Edenred. Co-skipper to come.

Easter holidays: a strategic choice

New for 2026: for the first time, the race will take place during Easter school holidays. The objective is crystal clear—open offshore racing to the general public and younger generations. A lively race village and educational activities for schoolchildren are planned in Concarneau.

The stakes go beyond sport. The Îles du Ponant, home to 16,300 year-round residents, welcome more than 2 million visitors annually. The Trophée BPGO acts as a spotlight on these island territories and strengthens the economic dynamic between land and sea.

The Grand Prix to finish in style

After the offshore race, 24 and 25 April will be devoted to the "Grand Prix" in Concarneau Bay. The concept: embark partners and sponsors aboard the Figaro 3s to give them an inside experience of racing. A clever format that extends the event and anchors the race in its local ecosystem.

Key figures

• Dates: 15-25 April 2026
• Base: Concarneau
• Distance: ~800 nautical miles
• Format: double-handed, Figaro Bénéteau 3
• Islands to round: 12 out of 15
• Coefficient: 2 (French Elite Championship)
• Estimated time at sea: 5 to 6 days

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