The race
Since its creation in 2008, the New Caledonia GROUPAMA RACE has enthused sailors, the public and commercial partners.
It is a dream course; a circum navigation around New Caledonia for monohulls and multihulls in racing or cruising mode, with crews full or short-handed. Sailors navigate among reefs, atolls and small islands that are part of the protected World Heritage listed site, passing turtles, whales and other sea life over the 1200km course.
Latitude 22° South
The regatta in paradise
Behind the breathtaking scenery the New Caledonia GROUPAMA RACE is a challenging and very tactical offshore and coastal race, offering navigators a variety of options: head offshore or run along the coast, often close to the reef. Add to this changeable weather plus swell and ocean and tidal currents, and there are plenty of sleepless nights for committed sailors. When the tradewinds are in, the New Caledonia GROUPAMA RACE is the perfect and world’s longest windward /leeward race; 300nms surfing along the east coast under spinnaker then 300nm supwind along the west coast. This ideal scenario hasn’t played out in recent editions with mixed conditions on offer. The wind might be south-east trades or strong westerlies, but the water over the deck is always warm !
Start
Types of boats
and crews eligible
Monohull
Short-handed or crew
Multihull
Short-handed or crew
Distance
A French touch
in the Pacific
Onshore the public takes a keen interest in the race. The race village is in a secure marina and media updates and nightly entertainment, including a warm on-stage welcome for each crew as they finish, brings the village to life every evening. Onboard videos are watched online all over the world and 20,000 players enjoy the virtual regatta.
The event atmosphere and competitor offerings are unique, a mixture of French and Melanesian culture in the Pacific. Organisers of the New Caledonia GROUPAMA RACE look forward to welcoming you in paradise in 2020.