Over 100 vessels to set sail in the historic 2024 Cowes Dinard St Malo Race

Over 100 boats will participate in the 2024 edition of the Cowes Dinard St Malo Race, an event organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club.

Kicking off at 11am tomorrow (Friday, July 5), more than 500 sailors from at least 18 different countries will set sail from the Royal Yacht Squadron Line, Cowes, in a spectacle that can be enjoyed from The Parade.

This year's edition is also the first scoring race for the IRC Double-Handed European Championship, welcoming two-handed teams from across Europe and America.

The Cowes Dinard St Malo Race boasts a historic tradition, dating back to 1906 and predating all other globally-renowned 600-mile races.

Among the competitors, Eric De Turckheim's NMD54 Teasing Machine, fresh off its victory in the SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race, is tipped to win in its class.

In the Multihull category, three candidates are vying for The Dinard Trophy, including Thierry Roger's trimaran BlackCap, Didier Bouillard’s Dazcat 1295 Minor Swing, and James Holder's Grainger 36 Uno.

Also, two Class40s, Daniel Jones' Gambit and Marc Lepesqueux's Sensation, are set to join the fray. Alastair Shanks's Finot Conq 44 Tallytoo is expected to lead the action in IRC One. Jacques Pelletier's Milon 41 L’Ange de Milon, second in class last year, also present a challenge.

New and notable entrants include J/133 Pintia Coyote, with its team of French Grand Masters, and the renamed ‘Coyote’, featuring veterans from the 1985 Admiral’s Cup.

The 2023 IRC Two Class winner, Ross Applebey’s Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster, returns to defend its podium alongside competitors like Nick Martin’s Sun Fast 3600 Diablo and François Lognone’s Patton 34 Nutmeg VI.

Additionally, the RORC Griffin Youth Squad will rejoin the fray, equipped with Sun Fast 30 One Designs.

Among the participating youthful pairs is the German-Irish duo of Charlotte Schneider and Joe Walters on Cap Polaris.