Some races are measured in miles; others in the ability to stay sharp as the wind shifts, currents collide and the sea forces sailors to choose between attack and endurance. The CIC Normandy Channel Race is one of them: a week of intense sailing in the heart of the English Channel and the Celtic Sea, along one of the most technical and demanding courses in European offshore racing. Starting on May 31, Maccaferri Futura, Officine Maccaferri’s Class40 will set sail for the seventeenth edition of the Norman race with ocean skipper Luca Rosetti and French co-skipper Pierre Brasseur, ready to take on more than 1,000 miles across French, English and Irish waters, navigating past ocean lighthouses, tactical passages and pure offshore conditions.

With both the start and finish in Caen, Normandy, the race has become one of the most iconic events on the international Class40 circuit. Established in 2010, it stands out for its unique double-handed format, combining long offshore legs with highly technical coastal sections where weather management, tidal currents and maritime traffic all become integral parts of the racing strategy. Around 30 boats are expected on the starting line for the 2026 edition, confirming the event as one of the most competitive and closely followed fixtures in international offshore sailing.

For Maccaferri Futura, the Normandy challenge marks another key step in the team’s 2026 sporting campaign, within a calendar that combines highly technical races with major world-class offshore events. It is a test that demands speed, endurance and the ability to constantly adapt to ever-changing conditions in one of Europe’s most complex racing arenas.

“The CIC Normandy Channel Race holds a special place within the European offshore sailing scene thanks to its history, competitive level and the complexity of its course,” said Sergio Iasi, Chairman of Officine Maccaferri. “For Maccaferri Futura, taking part in a race of this calibre means continuing to compete against some of the finest names in international offshore sailing, in one of the most technically and physically demanding settings on the Class40 circuit.”

“We are about to take on a race that never really gives you a chance to breathe,” added Luca Rosetti. “The pace is relentless from start to finish and every decision matters – from route choices and timing the tides to the physical and mental management of the race itself. Having Pierre alongside me will be a huge added value, and we’ll be able to rely on an understanding built at sea, in conditions that demand clarity of mind and the ability to adapt quickly.”