Friday, January 31, 2025

Vendée Globe 2024-2025 - The Podium

The Vendée Globe 2024-2025 delivered a thrilling competition, marked by outstanding performances and record-breaking achievements. The podium for this tenth edition is composed of Charlie Dalin, Yoann Richomme, and Sébastien Simon.

Charlie Dalin: A Stunning Victory and a New Record
On January 14, 2025, at 8:24:49 AM, Charlie Dalin, skipper of Macif Santé Prévoyance, crossed the finish line in Les Sables-d'Olonne, claiming his first Vendée Globe victory. He set a new record by completing the round-the-world race in 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes, and 49 seconds, beating the previous record held by Armel Le Cléac'h by more than nine days. This victory is a crowning achievement for the 40-year-old sailor from Le Havre, who finished second in the previous edition in 2020-2021. Dalin took a decisive lead on December 30 in the South Atlantic and maintained his leadership all the way to the finish.

Yoann Richomme: A Well-Deserved Second Place
Yoann Richomme, aboard Paprec Arkéa, finished in second place, crossing the finish line over 120 nautical miles behind Dalin. During the race, Richomme set a new 24-hour distance record, showcasing his determination and exceptional sailing skills.

Sébastien Simon: A Strong Comeback to the Podium
Sébastien Simon, skipper of Arkea-Paprec, completed the podium in third place. After being forced to retire in the previous edition, Simon capitalized on his experience to deliver a remarkable performance in this race.

An Edition Marked by Innovation and Performance
This tenth edition of the Vendée Globe witnessed significant technological innovations, notably the adoption of foil-equipped rudders, designed to improve the stability and speed of IMOCA monohulls and hight quality sails. These advancements contributed to impressive performances, as evidenced by the record-breaking times set by the leading skippers.

The Vendée Globe 2024-2025 also saw outstanding performances from female skippers. Among them, Clarisse Crémer, aboard L'Occitane en Provence, delivered an exceptional race, finishing in the top 10 and setting the fastest female time ever recorded in the event.

Meanwhile, Justine Mettraux, the Swiss sailor on Teamwork, confirmed her talent by fighting among the frontrunners for much of the race. Her journey demonstrates that solo ocean racing is becoming increasingly open to women, with ever-higher levels of performance. These skippers prove that the Vendée Globe is not just a men's competition and inspire a new generation of female sailors ready to take on the challenge in 2028!

The Vendée Globe 2024-2025 will go down in history as an exceptional race, where skippers pushed the limits of solo navigation around the world. The podium, featuring Charlie Dalin, Yoann Richomme, and Sébastien Simon, reflects the high level of competition and innovation that defined this edition.
 

Thursday, November 21, 2024

A trusted partner for your sailing cruises

At Horizon Sails, we specialize in providing quality sailmaking services for sailing boats, ensuring your sailing experience is seamless and enjoyable. Whether you're preparing for a yacht charter in the Mediterranean, cruising along the coast of France, or setting sail in the Caribbean waters off Martinique, we understand the importance of reliable, well-crafted sails.

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Let us help prepare your yacht for the next chapter of your cruising experience, wherever your yacht charter takes you. Whether you're chartering a boat for a weekend or embarking on a longer adventure, Horizon Sails is your trusted partner in ensuring smooth sailing.

Friday, November 8, 2024

Vendée Globe 2024/2025 – The Grand Departure

Mark your calendars: November 10, 2024, at 13:02

The Vendée Globe is a legendary race that challenges sailors to circumnavigate the globe solo, non-stop, and without assistance on 60-foot IMOCA monohulls. Since its inaugural race in 1989, this epic event has been held every four years in November and is regarded as one of the toughest and most demanding ocean races. Known as the "Everest of the Seas," the Vendée Globe once again dares 40 skippers to take on the open oceans, starting from the iconic Les Sables d’Olonne channel. This journey will see them round the globe and pass three major capes—Good Hope, Leeuwin, and Horn—before returning to Vendée. The last edition celebrated Yannick Bestaven’s victory in an impressive 80 days and 3 hours. With this year’s start just days away, the race promises excitement and perhaps another historic feat.
Women in Vendée Globe History

In 1996-1997, Catherine Chabaud made history as the first woman to complete the race, paving the way for future female sailors. In 2000-2001, Ellen MacArthur impressed the world by finishing in second place, the highest ranking ever achieved by a woman in the race. In the last edition, Clarisse Crémer set a new record as the fastest female sailor to circumnavigate the globe solo in a monohull, completing the course in 87 days. For the 2024 edition, six women will be competing, matching the previous record for female participation and further highlighting the significant role of female skippers in this iconic race.
Female Competitors of the Vendée Globe 2024

    Samantha Davies (Initiatives-Cœur 4): The British skipper is embarking on her fourth Vendée Globe with a next-generation IMOCA. Having finished 3rd in The Transat CIC and 6th in the New York - Vendée Les Sables-d'Olonne race this year, she aims for a podium spot. In the 2008-2009 edition, she finished 4th, though in the previous race, she collided with an unidentified object and had to make repairs in South Africa.

    Isabelle Joschke (MACSF): Returning for her second Vendée Globe, Isabelle will once again compete with her 2007 IMOCA fitted with foils. She was in 11th place and leading the women’s rankings in the last edition before a keel issue forced her to retire. She’s determined to finish the race this time.

    Pip Hare (Medallia): Pip Hare captured the public’s admiration in the previous race by successfully replacing a broken rudder in the challenging Southern Ocean. For this race, she’s back with the same resilience but on a fully refitted IMOCA with upgraded foils. After placing 19th last time, she’s aiming to improve her ranking.

    Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitane en Provence): Currently holding the record for the fastest female circumnavigation, Clarisse returns with the Apivia IMOCA, now racing under the L’Occitane en Provence colors—a reliable and swift vessel. While her seasonal performances have been mixed, she’s set on achieving a strong finish.

    Justine Mettraux (TeamWork-Team SNEF): The Swiss sailor is making her Vendée Globe debut. Racing aboard a high-performing 2018 IMOCA, she draws on experience from her victory in The Ocean Race with 11th Hour Racing, and she’s expected to be competitive in the top ranks.

    Violette Dorange (DeVenir): At just 23, Violette is the youngest competitor this year, sailing aboard the IMOCA formerly captained by Jean Le Cam, who finished fourth in the 2020-2021 edition. With a solid background in Optimist and 420 racing, she’s taking on the ambitious challenge of her first solo circumnavigation.
 

August 26, 2024

Sails and Talent: France Shines in Sailing at the 2024 Olympic Games

French athletes excelled in the sailing competitions at the 2024 Olympic Games, particularly in several key categories. France demonstrated its strength in windsurfing and skiff events, with standout performances in Marseille, where the sailing events were held.

In windsurfing, French representatives delivered excellent results, reaching multiple finals, with France securing a silver medal in the men's category. The newly introduced kitesurfing discipline also saw strong French performances, reinforcing the country's rising prominence in this sport. In the dinghy and multihull categories, French crews reached the final stages, though competition remained fierce.

These achievements highlight the quality of equipment and expertise in sailmaking, reflected by brands like Horizon Sails, which support numerous professional sailors. High-quality sails are a crucial factor in enhancing athletes' performance, enabling them to maximize speed and maneuverability in varied conditions.

The 2024 Olympic Games have confirmed France's position as one of the top-performing nations in sailing, thanks to a combination of individual talent and excellent equipment.

Thursday June 23, 2022

Vendée Arctique 2022 - Dalin, Beyou and Ruyant on the podium

The 2022 edition was marked by difficult weather preventing skippers from circumnavigating Iceland as originally planned. Charlie Dalin from Le Havre won this race, followed by Jérémie Beyou (Charal) and Thomas Ruyant (LinkedOut).

Friday January 22, 2022

European Yacht of the Year - 2022 winning yachts

Awarded by the heavyweights of the European nautical press, Voiles et Voiliers, Yacht (Germany), Yachting World (United Kingdom), Vela e Motore (Italy). European Yacht of the Year are five trophies in categories as diverse as family cruiser, fast cruiser, luxury cruiser, bluewater cruiser and special sailboat for dayboats and one-designs. In the Family cruiser category Hanse 460 wins the prize. While JPK FC 39 is the winner among fast cruisers. Hallberg-Rassy 50 in Luxury Yacht and Outremer 55 in Bluewater cruiser and the Special cruiser is for Saffier 33 SE.

Wednesday March 17, 2021 

The America’s Cup stays in New Zealand ! Team New Zealand wins the 36th America's Cup ! 

On the night of Tuesday to Wednesday in Auckland, during the tenth race against the Italians of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, Emirates Team New Zealand with their AC75 flying monohull, conquered the seventh point required for the final victory. The final score is 7 to 3. This is the fourth victory for the Neo Zed in this legendary sailing race in the last eight editions !

February 21, 2021

Forza Italia, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli qualified for the 36th America’s Cup

Superb victory for the Italians (Luna Rossa) by winning the Prada Cup final 7-1. They won against Sir Ben Ainslie's Ineos Team UK this weekend in Auckland and got the ticket for the America's Cup final starting on 6th March against the New Zealanders. The Italian AC75 double skin mainsail foiler is helmed by virtuosos Francesco Bruni and Jimmy Spithill and puts Italy back in the goldbook by being the challenger of the 36th edition of the America's Cup.

3/02/2021

The fastest girl of all the Vendée Globe - Clarisse Crémer !

Congratulations to Clarisse who completes her first world race in 87 days, 2 hours, 24 minutes. At 31, Clarisse Crémer (Banque Populaire), broke the record for a woman in the Vendée Globe by 7 days. Arriving 12th at the helm of her IMOCA, she also received congratulations from Ellen MacArthur.

Thursday 28 January 2021

Vendée Globe - The crazy night of 27 ! 

Yannick Bestaven is the name of the winner who did not arrive first at the finish line ! The end of this crazy Imoca race came to an end and it's the only time the first to make landfall is not the winner. Bestaven (Maître Coq) won the ninth edition of the Vendée Globe as Charlie Dalin with his sailboat Apivia crossed the finish line first on Wednesday. Bestaven came third behind Charlie Dalin and Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée) but is crowned thanks to the bonus for the rescue of Kévin Escoffier on November 30. Thomas Ruyant, Damien Seguin, Giancarlo Pedote, Boris Herrmann and Jean Le Cam (the King) followed this Thursday. Herrmann (Seaexplorer - Yacht Club de Monaco) could claim the final victory thanks to the hourly compensation of six hours, collided with a trawler at 8:50 pm, just before the arrival at Sables-d'Olonne. King Jean thus completes his fourth round-the-world tour and with his bonus of 16 hours and 15 minutes, the skipper of Yes We Cam climbs to 4th place in the general classification.

28/11/2020

Sails Maintenance & Repair - Entrust us with your sails
 

Sails represent a significant investment and influence the success of your cruise or regatta. Because being serene at sea is crucial, Horizon Sails offer full maintenance and repair services for your sails or protections. To prolong their performance and life, an annual check-up can be very useful. Regardless of the brand, each sail is subjected to a detailed inspection in order to identify the first signs of deterioration and prevent them from worsening over time. The sails are shipped by shuttle bag and an international service is offered to you. The Horizon Sails sales department is at your disposal and will be happy to assist you and provide any assistance you need.

20/04/2020

We are with you 

Faithful to our values ​​of responsibility, we are implementing unprecedented measures in order to help our customers in the difficult circumstances they may face. Horizon Sails guarantees the manufacture of sails and marine accessories as well as home delivery to all of its customers.

16/03/2020

Do you protect your sail well ? 

Faced with UV, bad weather and various aggressions, it is necessary to use protections for your sails. Horizon Sails offers a wide selection of accessories to preserve the whole sail range of your sailboat. Discover our Stack Pack, Mainsail cover, Genoa cover, Spinnaker sock, Deck bag, Cockpit cover, Steering wheel cover and many others. Take advantage of our attractive prices all year round.