If you’re a sailor, than most likely you have heard of Le Tour de France a La Voile. Or what is now known as just “Tour Voile.” I am thrilled to announce that I will be joining Team Digilab for Tour Voile 2026, one of the most elite, high-intensity offshore racing circuits in the world.
For this intense campaign, skipper responsibilities will be shared by Joss Cresswell and myself. Together, we are leading an exciting new squad primarily made up of Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) sailors who are ready to break into the ultra-competitive Figaro fleet.
What is the Tour Voile?
Previously known for decades as the Tour de France à la Voile, the Tour Voile is a legendary cornerstone of professional sailing. Think of it as the Tour de France of the ocean, a grueling multi-stage maritime marathon that pits the best offshore sailors against each other in identical, strict one-design boats. Today, the event is raced in the Figaro Beneteau 3, ensuring that victories are decided purely by tactical brilliance, physical endurance, and seamless teamwork.
Why It’s Famous & How Big It Is
The Tour Voile is world-renowned as the ultimate breeding ground for offshore sailing royalty; nearly every legendary Vendée Globe or Ocean Race skipper has cut their teeth here. It is a massive spectacle that draws thousands of spectators to the race villages at every stopover. Racing right along the coast and out into open waters, teams face relentless coastal currents, changing tidal streams, and unpredictable Atlantic weather systems. With nearly 30 races packed into just over two weeks, the relentless pace leaves absolutely zero room for error.
A Nod to History: The Kiwis Who Conquered the Tour
The Tour Voile has a rich history of attracting the world's absolute best international talent. Notably, back in 1999, a powerhouse Team New Zealand squad, led by Hamish Pepper and featuring America's Cup legend Russell Coutts, entered the fray on Sun Microsystems (raced in Mumm 30s at the time). They famously dominated the opening legs and took home the overall victory, proving that the Tour Voile is a true test of world-class, universal seamanship. Joined onto my La Solitaire du Figaro campaign is the goal to break this 27 year gap and re-enter a New Zealand team into this famous event. Lets hope some awesome organisations will sponsor this history making moment.
2026 Event Schedule & Format
The Tour Voile format is incredibly demanding, blending intense inshore stadium racing, tactical coastal courses, and grueling overnight offshore legs.
The Fleet: Racing in identical Figaro Beneteau 3s.
The Crew: 4 sailors on board per race, featuring mandatory crew rotation to manage exhaustion.
The 2026 Route (June 24 – July 12)
Act 1: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin - June 24 – 28 - Stadium racing & tight coastal courses
Act 2:Saint-Malo June 29 – July 1Multi-transition passage race & technical courses
Act 3: Plérin (Baie de Saint-Brieuc) – July 2 – 5Offshore navigation & coastal racing (July 4: Rest Day)
Act 4: Camaret-sur-Mer– July 6 – 9Crucial - English Channel crossings & tactical legs
Grand Finale: Larmor-Plage– July 10 – 12 - The Super Final & definitive podium showdown
The RORC Opportunity: Step Up to the Elite Figaro Circuit
This campaign represents a monumental milestone for our crew. We are building this team with a core group of RORC sailors who are stepping out of standard IRC handicap racing and diving headfirst into the world of one-design shorthanded offshore racing.
The Figaro fleet is widely considered the most elite and cutthroat training ground alive. For RORC members wanting to get seriously involved in high-level offshore racing, this is a spectacular pathway. It’s an opportunity to master:
Foil-assisted boat speed and high-performance trim.
Detailed micro-weather analysis and navigation strategy.
Real-time physical endurance and sleep management under extreme pressure.
We are incredibly proud to bridge the gap between UK offshore racing and the pinnacle of the French short-handed scene.
Stay Tuned! We will be posting live tracker links, behind-the-scenes blog updates, and media from the water as Digilab fights its way along the coast. Wish us luck!