For three days, Port Camargue hosted a training camp bringing together eight Class40s to prepare for the start of the 2026 season. A first in the Mediterranean, marking an important step in the structuring of the class in the region and confirming the rise of a collective dynamic focused on performance, experience sharing and the development of offshore racing.
With Class40s 89, 134, 135, 142, 149, 155, 168 and 179 gathered on the water, this first Mediterranean training camp brought together a significant fleet around a common goal: fine-tuning every aspect of performance ahead of the first major events of the season.
Over the course of the three days, the teams worked through speed tests, manoeuvres, starting exercises, coastal courses and windward-leeward races. Essential sessions to regain racing reflexes, refine settings and put crews back into the intensity of fleet training before the competitive calendar truly begins.
One of the biggest strengths of this format naturally lies in the number of boats on the water. Training with eight Class40s allows everyone to progress faster. It creates opportunities to compare performances, exchange ideas, better evaluate speed and manoeuvres, while also enriching the work through evening debrief sessions. That is the true strength of fleet dynamics: helping each individual project improve while raising the collective level at the same time.
This feeling of accelerated progression clearly came through in the feedback from participants. Gildwenn, aboard Class40 no.155, summed up the impact of the camp perfectly: “I gained two months in my preparation.” A strong statement that highlights the value of such a gathering when it concentrates so much work, learning and exchange into just a few days.
The same enthusiasm was shared by Nicolas aboard no.149, who highlighted both the quality of the sessions and the spirit within the group: “We didn’t even have time to take photos, we were too busy learning so many things… thanks to Phare40 for creating such a great dynamic during this camp.” A simple quote, yet one that perfectly reflects what made these three days successful: valuable time on the water, concrete learning and collective energy serving everyone involved.
To oversee the sessions on the water, the group chose to rely on Kito de Pavant, a well-known and tireless figure in offshore racing. His perspective, experience and high standards brought real added value to the camp, both in the organisation of the sessions and in the quality of the feedback provided to skippers and teams.
The choice of Port Camargue was far from accidental. Significant groundwork has been carried out to sustainably welcome Class40 teams to the area. Today, six Class40s are based there year-round thanks to a structured hosting system and the implementation of a dedicated “teams” agreement, including technical storage areas for each project. In addition, the sailing area offers an ideal playground for this type of training camp: varied, accessible and perfectly suited for comprehensive work on the water.
Finally, this gathering was made possible through the efficient coordination between François Verdier and Phare40, who initiated and organised the camp.
Beyond the sporting and technical success of this first edition, the training camp reflects a broader ambition: establishing a true Mediterranean centre of expertise dedicated to offshore racing in Class40. The objective is clear — creating the right conditions to welcome teams, structure training programmes, encourage collaboration and contribute to the growth of the class in the region.
This first edition in Port Camargue proves that such a dynamic is not only possible, but already underway. It also perfectly illustrates what makes the Class40 class so strong: a spirit of sharing, genuine sporting ambition and the ability to create collective initiatives that benefit everyone.
A successful first edition — and perhaps a foundational step for what comes next.
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