Class40, where dreams of offshore racing remain within reach
Jean-Marie Liot -2026
Created to bring together professional and amateur skippers, Class40 remains true to its DNA: an accessible class in which everyone can build their own offshore racing project. Of the 36 Class40s entered in the Drheam Cup, 8 projects were led by amateurs: entrepreneurs, employees or sailing enthusiasts, all sharing the same starting line as the discipline’s top sailors.
This diversity is what makes the class so rich, and it still allows people today to dream big: taking part in a few races, committing to a full season, or building an ambitious project focused on offshore racing. Behind every boat lies a unique story, blending passion, professional challenges and sporting ambitions. In this newsletter, discover four skippers who embody this other side of the Class40.
“Class40s are extraordinary boats capable of providing a unique experience offshore."
Behind Class40 No. 103 is a passionate amateur sailor who has built up his project over the years, balancing it with his career and family life.
For Olivier Gamot, offshore racing is, above all, a story of passion that began in his childhood. “I grew up looking at reports in Voiles et Voiliers about boats sailing round the world. The Mini 650s and the Route du Rhum also really inspired me,” he says. This fascination soon became a reality when he joined the Mini circuit.
Over time, a desire grew within him: to sail on a boat better suited to extended voyages. “What I really enjoy is sailing offshore, particularly in challenging conditions. When races were shortened or postponed as soon as conditions became more difficult, I sometimes felt frustrated. I told myself I needed to move up to a larger boat, one that was truly suited to offshore sailing.”
The Class40 then became the obvious choice. However, this choice had to fit within a reality very different from that of a professional skipper. Married, a father of three, employed and living in the Île-de-France region, Olivier built a project compatible with his everyday life. His boat is therefore based in Le Havre, at Quillebeuf-sur-Seine / Tancarville, a strategic location that allows him to remain as involved as possible.
As with many amateur Class40 projects, financial balance is also a key factor. The project is self-funded and relies on careful management of expenditure. “Everyone finds their own balance based on their skills, their network and what they’re able to do themselves. Doing certain things yourself takes time, but it also helps keep costs under control.”
His discovery of the Class40 has confirmed his expectations. “Class40s are extraordinary boats. They are true seaworthy vessels, enjoyable in all conditions. In strong winds, they’re a real treat. You get to fully enjoy the spectacle of the open sea with a fast, powerful and reliable boat. The sensations are unique.
The Class40 currently offers the best balance between performance, challenge and accessibility
A digital entrepreneur and passionate sailor, Benoît Sineau has chosen Class40 to build a sporting project that matches his ambitions. With a boat launched in 2025, the skipper of Class40 No. 211 is developing a campaign planned over several years, driven by a firm conviction: this class currently offers one of the best compromises for experiencing offshore racing to the full.
For Benoît Sineau, the choice of Class40 is based above all on a unique balance. “These are extremely high performance boats, capable of sailing very fast, but which still operate within a framework where a sailor can manage their own project.” This philosophy aligns with his approach to offshore racing: striving for performance without veering into an inaccessible technological arms race.
As with many committed amateur skippers, the financial aspect remains a key issue. Having made a significant investment in the boat’s construction, Benoît is now continuing his project on a self-funded basis, with the aim of finding a partner to take it to the next level. “Self-funding allows you to get a project off the ground, but it inevitably has its limits over time. A Class40 campaign quickly costs between 150,000 and 200,000 euros a year, even with careful management.”
But beyond the competition, Benoît Sineau finds in the Class40 a team spirit that is very dear to him. “What struck me was how approachable the sailors are. Everyone knows each other, and when someone runs into a problem, there’s always someone there to help find a solution.”
“The Class40 allows passionate amateurs to race alongside the world’s best sailors”
Greg Leonard perfectly embodies the spirit of the Class40: a sporting project built on passion, knowledge sharing and camaraderie.
His adventure began in 2018, at the finish of the Route du Rhum in Guadeloupe, when his destiny took a new turn: “That’s where we met Miranda Merron, who introduced us to the many qualities of the Class40.”
Looking to start a new chapter in his life, Greg decided to embark on this adventure with his first Class40, Kite, a Mach 40.3. A project conceived from the outset as a family adventure: “The idea was, and still is today, to race with my two children.”
At the end of 2023, the project reached a new milestone with the construction of a new Mach 40.6, Swift. “Being able to experience the race villages, meet the other sailors and share those moments has been an incredibly enriching experience,” he says.
Entirely self-funded, his programme relies on a constant balance between sporting ambition, professional obligations and family life. “Being an amateur means making difficult choices, both financially and in terms of time.”
An economist by profession, Greg now divides his time between the United States and the United Kingdom, whilst continuing his involvement in Class40. For him, the strength of the series lies in its unique accessibility: “What other sport allows passionate amateurs to compete directly against the best athletes in their discipline? Sailing really is something special.”
Class40 has enabled me to turn a dream into reality
After more than 40 years of amateur offshore racing, Richard Palmer has achieved his most ambitious project: taking part in a double-handed round-the-world race aboard the Class40 Jangada 40 during the Globe40.
“I’ve always been drawn to the idea of racing round the world, but the existing options seemed out of reach,” he explains. For him, the Globe40 represented a unique opportunity: “a truly competitive round-the-world race, with a mix of professional sailors and experienced amateurs”.
The project was put together using a pragmatic approach. “Our first big decision was to choose the right boat,” he says.
After nine months of adventure around the globe, what Richard remembers most is the spirit of the Class40: “Friends at the bar, rivals on the water”. In his view, “a well-prepared boat and a committed crew can offer an exceptional experience, even without necessarily aiming for victory”.
“It was demanding, expensive and exhausting, but it has given me friendships, experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.” An adventure that perfectly illustrates the Class40’s ability to make the dream accessible to grown-ups
Louis Bregeon - translation Daphné Schreder
