The Offshore Racing Benchmark

The Class40 was born in 2004 from a simple idea: to create a yacht capable of crossing oceans without breaking the bank or spending months in the boatyard. Patrice Carpentier, Michel Mirabel, Christian Bouroullec, and Pascal Jamet laid the foundations of a rule set that fit on just two pages. In 2005, the class was officially unveiled at the Paris Boat Show. By the 2006 Route du Rhum, 25 Class40 yachts were on the starting line, representing one-third of the fleet. The Class40 adventure was underway.

In 2026, more than 90 boats representing 20 different nationalities are competing on the Class40 circuit, taking part in iconic races such as the Route du Rhum, the CIC Normandy Channel Race, and Les Sables–Horta. Never before has the Class40 attracted such large fleets across the events in which it competes.

The Class40 is a unique blend of talent and experience: seasoned professional skippers race alongside passionate amateurs, while rising stars share the course with Atlantic veterans. Through races, dockside encounters, and shared adventures at sea, this mix fosters lasting friendships and a spirit of camaraderie that has become a defining feature of the class.

In 2024, the Class40 launched an ambitious plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. By 2025, the class had cut its carbon footprint by 7% compared with 2023, despite a fleet that had grown by 25%. By eliminating cargo-ship returns and reducing air travel, more than 500 tonnes of emissions were avoided thanks to the collective commitment of the skippers.

Read our article on the subject