Strong line-up for the Normandy Channel Race

20 boats expected on the line for Class40 season opener

With three months to go until the start of the 1,000 mile doublehanded Normandy Channel Race on 14 April, 13 teams have already registered for the fourth edition of the event. More are planning to take part, and around 20 Class40s are expected to be on the Caen start line.

Participation in the event will also serve as a qualifier for the Transat Jacques Vabre as well as the Class40's Les Sables–Horta-Les Sables race.

The competitor line-up includes semi-professional and professional skippers such as Halvard Mabire, Miranda Merron, Sébastien Rogues, Nicolas Jossier, Armel Tripon, Bruno Jourdren, Thomas Ruyant, Louis Duc, Stéphanie Alran and J-C Caso alongside some amateurs such as Olivier Roussey, Catherine Pourre, Patrice Bougard and Damien Rousseau.

Pierre-Yves Lautrou of l’Express magazine and Fabrice Amadeo of Le Figaro magazine will be representing the journalist sailors, while a new British crew of Roderick Knowles and Paul Peggs will be joining the event for the first time.

Half of the doublehanded crews entered have already participated at least once before including Thomas Ruyant, winner of the inaugural event in 2010, as well as two second placed teams - Halvard Mabire in 2010 and 2012 and Bruno Jourdren in 2011.