Marrakech – On September 25, the inaugural “Med Max Occitanie” sailing race will kick off, connecting the charming Port-Camargue in France with the stunning Saïdia Marina in Morocco.
This groundbreaking offshore race promises a thrilling journey across the waves, blending adventure with international flair.
Co-founded and organized by sailor “Kito de Pavant” in partnership with Christophe Carniel, CEO of “VOGO Sport,” this race stands out for its Mediterranean course and double-handed format.
Seventeen “Class40” teams (12.19-meter monohulls) and ten “Ocean Fifty” teams (15.24-meter multihulls) will set sail together, but each will follow their own unique route.
Nearly 30 crews, including an all-female team, will compete aboard Class40 and Ocean Fifty boats, racing between the French and Moroccan coasts.
The Class40 boats will cover around 1,000 nautical miles, while the faster Ocean Fifty multihulls will tackle nearly 1,500 miles, including a signature leg around the island of Stromboli.
Both fleets will converge at their shared destination, Saïdia Marina, where they are expected to arrive starting October 4. The race will culminate with a grand finale at Saïdia Resorts, adding a touch of luxury to this epic, multi-day journey.
The Med Max promises a spectacular challenge: connecting the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean in five days of double-handed racing.
This journey between two continents; Europe and Africa, two countries, France and Morocco, and two regions; Occitanie/Pyrénées-Méditerranée and Oriental, will bridge the gap between Le Grau du Roi resort and Saïdia Marina.
Beyond the sporting challenge, the Med Max will bring together sailing enthusiasts every four years and celebrate the rich diversity of Mediterranean cultures.
Designed by sailors for sailors, the “Med Max” aims to connect the continents bordering the Mediterranean and strengthen friendly, cultural, and economic ties among the countries sharing this common sea.
At a press conference in Casablanca earlier this summer, Kito de Pavant, co-creator of the Med Max race, unveiled the details of this groundbreaking competition.
With his team, he highlighted the importance of fostering connections between Mediterranean peoples, while emphasizing their commitment to making this race a platform for fresh ideas on coexistence and environmental protection, all while honoring the millennia-old traditions of this unique sea.
The winners will take home the Med Max trophy, a creation by Jean Denant that symbolizes the “connection between East and West,” according to the artist himself.
The starting and finishing villages, Port-Camargue and Saïdia, will host a range of public festivities including concerts, conferences, sailing workshops, and much more.
So what are you waiting for? Throw on that sailor hat and go witness this epic, seafaring journey. Who knows? Maybe next time you will be the one trying out your sea legs!
