Class40 : les dernières infos Tip & Shaft

After a period of strong growth, the Class40, which made its 2025 debut with the Spi Ouest-France Banque Populaire Grand Ouest last weekend, is now back at cruising speed, while at the same time succeeding in renewing itself. With a brand-new race in the Mediterranean, an ever-expanding round-the-world race, architectural innovations and an ever-increasing number of competitors, the formula continues to attract.

After two seasons in Class40 under the colours of Zeiss, Timothé Polet (24) is preparing to move up the range, as he launches a new Mach 40.6 designed by Sam Manuard and built by JPS in La Trinité-sur-Mer on Monday 25 November. An opportunity for Tip & Shaft to talk to Nicolas Series, president of Zeiss France, who is committed to working alongside the Norman sailor until the end of 2026.

25 Class40s – and 4 monohulls from 45 to 70 feet – set off on 30 June for the 10th edition of the Transat Québec Saint-Malo, raced as a crew. One of these is the Crédit Mutuel boat, n°158, launched in August 2019, which skipper Ian Lipinski will be sailing for the last time, before taking the helm of his new Raison design, unveiled in April. An opportunity for Tip & Shaft to chat to the man who took second place in The Transat CIC in May.

With two new races on the calendar, several new designs in the water and a growing number of contenders to join the circuit, Class40 continues to be buoyed by favourable winds at the start of the 2024 season. Tip & Shaft takes stock.