Atlantic Cup set to start Saturday, May 25

2024 Atlantic Cup © Julianna Barbieri Piggin

We're three days out until the start of the 2024 Atlantic Cup. For the first time since 2018, the only dedicated Class40 race in the United States will take teams on a 3-stage race from Charleston, S.C. to Newport, R.I. and Portland, M.E.

Nine teams representing four countries will depart Charleston Saturday, May 25 at 12pm for the 708-nautical mile leg to Newport. After a brief stop in Newport the teams will race 250-nautical miles to Portland, Maine. Once in Portland the teams will race a 2-day coastal series. The Atlantic Cup is the longest race in the Western Atlantic and also the only race to round both Cape Hatteras and Cod.

Hugh Piggin, Race Director said "We couldn't be more excited to bring such a high-quality fleet of shorthanded sailors to compete in what has become America's toughest ocean race! It's been six years since we've run this race and the Class40 sailors and boats have changed considerably since then. It'll be fascinating to see how these teams deal with the weather and navigational challenges this unique racecourse throws at them."

The teams competing include podium finishers in some of the major short-handed races from the Route du Rhum, Transat Jacques Vabre, Figaro and Mini-Transat. More information on the teams is noted below.

#115 Trim Control - FRA

Skipper: Alexandre Le Gallais
Co-Skipper: Carlo Vroon
This will be Alexandre and Carlo's first Atlantic Cup. Alexandre has been racing in the Class40 since 2021. Carlo has over 50 years of sailing experience competing in everything from the Tonnerre to Oystercatcher.

#153 Nestenn - Entrepreneurs Pour La Planete - FRA

Skipper: Jules Bonnier
Co-Skipper: Julie Simon
Jules has been racing in the Class40 since 2016. Most recently he placed 5th in the Caribbean 600. He has also competed in multiple Transat Jacques Vabres, the 2022 Route du Rhum placing 17th out of 42 and many other Class40 races. His co-skipper is Julie Simon who has had much success in both the mini and Figaro 3 classes.

#177 Everial - FRA

Skipper: Erwan Le Draoulec
Co-Skipper: Tanguy Leglatin
This will be Erwan and Tanguy's first Atlantic Cup. The duo, however, has been very successful in the Class40. They placed 4th in the 2023 Transat Jacques Vabre and 5th in the Les Sables Horta. Both have won the Fastnet (Erwan in 2023 and Tanguy in 2011). Erwan also won the 2017 Mini-Transat and placed 4th in the 2022 Solitaire du Figaro. Tanguy brings a wealth of experience as he has been racing in the Class40 since 2008.

145 La Manche évidence nautique - FRA

Skipper: Nicolas Jossier
Co-Skipper: Pierrick Letouze
Nicolas has been racing in the Class40 since 2013. He stepped into his new boat last year and since then has secured a 5th place finish in the Normandy Channel Race and most recently a 7th place in the Niji40. His co-skipper Pierrick was on the winning Class40 in this year's Caribbean 600. Both are new to the Atlantic Cup but bring years of Class40 experience.

#189 Sign for Com - GER

Skipper: Melwin Fink
Co-Skipper: Lennart Burke
Melwin comes to the Atlantic Cup after finishing 3rd in the 2021 Mini Transat. He and his co-skipper, Lennart Burke, finished 4th in the Fastnet and 15th in the 2023 Transat Jacques Vabre.

#195 Vogue Avec un Crohn - FRA

Skipper: Pierre-Louis Atwell
Co-Skipper: Maxime Bensa
Racing to raise awareness for Crohn's Disease, the duo of Atwell and Bensa have been competing at the highest levels in the Class40 with multiple Transat Jacques Vabres, Fastnets, and Normandy Channo el Races to their credit.

#200 Scowling Dragon - USA

Skipper: Mike Hennessy
Co-Skipper: Roger Junet
Returning for his 7th Atlantic Cup, Mike Hennessy will be back on an all-new Class40 as he attempts to best his second place finish. Joining him will be Roger Junet who most recently raced around the world in the Global 40 Race.

#201Acrobatica - ITA

Skipper: Alberto Riva
Co-Skipper: Jean Marre
This will be Alberto and Jean's first time competing in the Atlantic Cup. Alberto has been racing since childhood. He has worked with the TP52 Azzura, Giovanni Soldini on Maserati Multi 70 and Andrea Fatini on Enel Green Energy. He started racing in the Class40 in 2019 competing with fellow Italian and former Atlantic Cup winner Pietro Luciani. In 2021 he placed second in the Mini-Transat, which is the best result for any Italian in that storied race. His co-skipper Jean Marre also competed in the 2021 Mini Transat placing 21. After starting a traditional 9-5 career, Jean left the office world behind a few years ago to pursue offshore racing full time.

#204 dékulpe - FRA

Skipper: William Mathelin-Moreaux
Co-Skipper: Pietro Luciani
With a second place finish in the 2023 and 2019 Fastnet, plus a 4th place in the Normandy Channel Race, William Mathelin-Moreaux is no stranger to the Class40 but he will be racing in a brand new boat for this edition of the Atlantic Cup. Joining him is Italian sailor Pietro Luciani who also has a wealth of experience in the Class and won the 2018 Atlantic Cup.