Campaign 2026–2029 · Class 40 · FRA 163

RACE
BEYOND
LIMITS

From the North Atlantic to Cape Horn and beyond — Vortex Sailing is building toward the Globe 40 round-the-world race aboard Class 40 FRA 163, in collaboration with BE Racing.

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FRA 163 · Class 40
Class 40 FRA 163
Our Story

THE CAMPAIGN

Vortex Sailing is a Canadian offshore racing project built around one goal: completing the Globe 40 round-the-world race. Skipper Sébastien Weiner leads the campaign aboard Class 40 FRA 163, in partnership with BE Racing — one of France's most respected offshore racing management teams.

From the North Atlantic to Cape Horn and beyond, every race in the four-year programme is a building block — developing the boat, sharpening the crew, and earning the qualification miles needed for the Globe 40 start line in Lorient, France.

EST.42k
Nautical Miles ·
4
Year Campaign
5+
Ocean Crossings
163
FRA Sail Number
Racing Programme

RACE
CALENDAR

Four years. Three oceans. One ultimate destination. Every race is a step toward the Globe 40.

2026
2026
Spring
Prise en Main & Training
France · Boat Handover & Qualification Training
— Preparation Phase
Training
2026
Summer
Round Britain & Ireland
UK · Crewed Training Race
1,805 nm
Upcoming
2026
Autumn
Delivery · France to Canaries
France → Canary Islands · Pre-positioning
~1,500 nm
Delivery
2027
JAN
2027
RORC Transatlantic Race
Canary Islands → Antigua
2,700 nm
Upcoming
FEB
2027
Caribbean 600
Antigua · Caribbean Circuit
600 nm
Upcoming
MAR
2027
St-Maarten Heineken Regatta
Sint Maarten · Caribbean
~100 nm
Upcoming
2027
Spring
Delivery · Caribbean to Europe
Caribbean → France · Possible Record Attempt
~3,200 nm
Delivery
OCT
2027
Cannes–Malta
Mediterranean Sea
~1,000 nm
Upcoming
OCT
2027
Middle Sea Race
Malta · Mediterranean Circuit
606 nm
Upcoming
2028 — 2029 · THE BIG ONE
2028
Globe 40
Globe 40 · Round the World
Lorient → Cadiz → Cabo Verde → Recife → Reunion Island → Sydney → Valparaiso → Lorient
⚓ Est. 30,000 nm · Around the World
Ultimate Goal
The Ultimate Goal · 2028–2029

GLOBE 40
AROUND THE WORLD

The greatest offshore race on earth for Class 40 — estimated 30,000 nautical miles, six legs, three oceans.

Globe 40 Race Route — 2025/2026 2nd Edition
30K
Nautical Miles
6
Race Legs
3
Oceans
2028
Start Lorient
Race Route · Prologue + 6 Legs
P
Lorient — Prologue & Finish
Home port · France
1
Cadiz → Cabo Verde → Recife
Great Start · First Atlantic Crossing
2
Recife → Reunion Island
South Atlantic · Cape of Good Hope
3
Reunion Island → Sydney
Southern Indian Ocean
4
Sydney → Valparaiso
South Pacific · Cape Horn approach
5
Valparaiso → Recife
Cape Horn · South Atlantic return
6
Recife → Lorient
Final leg · Finish at home
The Globe 40 is the flagship event of international Class 40 offshore racing. The full route covers approximately 30,000 nautical miles across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans — a true circumnavigation and the pinnacle of the class. Every race in our 2026–2027 programme is a stepping stone to this campaign goal.
The People

WORLD-CLASS
SAILORS

Four sailors. One boat. One goal. A Canadian-led crew backed by one of France's most decorated offshore racing stables.

Sébastien Weiner
Owner / Skipper
Sébastien Weiner Canada
Canadian

The driving force behind Vortex Sailing, Sébastien Weiner is the owner and skipper of FRA 163. His vision and passion for offshore racing are the heartbeat of the entire campaign — from boat acquisition through to the Globe 40.

Project founder & team owner · FRA 163
Campaign architect · 2026–2029 programme
Collaborative partner with BE Racing, France
Giacomo Weiner
Crew
Giacomo Weiner Canada
Canadian

A young, talented sailor bringing energy and drive to the Vortex programme. Giacomo is developing his offshore skills through every race and training session, building toward the ultimate challenge of the Globe 40.

Offshore programme crew · FRA 163
Developing offshore racing skills 2026–2029
Class 40 training programme participant
Geoff Moore
Tactician & Coach
Geoff Moore Canada
Canadian · Royal Canadian Yacht Club · North Sails

Geoff Moore has been a passionate sailor all his life. His experience covers an impressive breadth of world travel and many diverse boat types — from Sunfish to 12 Metres. A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Geoff grew up and learned to sail in Rhode Island. He now lives and works in Toronto as a member of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. In 2002 Geoff joined North Sails as a Sail Expert, coaching and teaching North U seminars.

2023 VXone North American Champion
2018 Shark 24 World Champion · Kingston, Ontario
2× J/24 North American Champion · 2× J/24 Midwinter Champion
Mumm 30 North American Champion · 2nd 2004 Worlds
3× Canada's Cup winning team member
Beneteau 36.7 World Cup winner · Helsinki, Finland 2017
Newport to Bermuda · Chicago-Mac · Lake Ontario 300 veteran
North Sails Expert & Coach since 2002
Louis Burton
Partner Sailor · Elite Advisor & Mentor
Louis Burton France
France · Co-Founder, BE Racing

Louis Burton has never followed a conventional sailor's path. Drawn early to mechanics, systems, and how things work, he chose the sea as his arena. From his first voyages to his 3rd place finish in the Vendée Globe 2020–21, his career is defined by endurance, ingenuity, and a refusal to quit. Co-founder of BE Racing and one of France's most respected offshore sailors, Louis is currently the skipper of the Armand Thiéry Ultim, a 100 ft folding trimaran. With 110,000 miles of racing experience and an unmatched competitive pedigree, he brings elite multihull expertise to the Vortex Sailing campaign.

3rd place · Vendée Globe 2020–2021 (IMOCA)
34 races · 12 transatlantic crossings · 110,000 nm raced
Co-founder of BE Racing · Course au Large, Est. 2010
4 Vendée Globe campaigns · Elite offshore advisor
Live Position

TRACK FRA 163

Follow the boat in real time as she races across the ocean.

The Machine

FRA 163
THE BOAT

The Class 40 is one of the world's most demanding offshore development classes - 12 metres built to race solo or doublehanded across any ocean. No crew limitations. Pure performance, unlimited innovation, and a proven record across every major ocean race on the planet.

FRA 163 hull at dock
FRA 163 · Class 40
Class 40 deck and cockpit
Deck & Cockpit
Class 40 hull interior structure
Hull Interior Structure
Racing action
Racing Action
12m
Length Overall
4.5m
Max Beam
~4t
Displacement
Solo / 2H
Racing Configuration
Our Team Manager

BACKED BY
BE RACING

Vortex Sailing competes in close collaboration with BE Racing - France's most experienced offshore racing stable, founded in 2010. With 15 years managing elite campaigns across IMOCA, Ocean Fifty, Class 40 and Figaro, BE Racing brings unmatched infrastructure and expertise to our project.

15
Years Running
12+
Skippers Led
250
Partner Network
4 Vendee Globe campaigns - 3rd place finish 2020-21 with Louis Burton
Ocean Fifty Series 2025 winners with Baptiste Hulin
6 Route du Rhum · 14 Transat Jacques Vabre campaigns
5 Figaro seasons · Top 10 finishes
Projet Espoir - 7 young skippers launched to professional careers
BE
RACING
Course au Large · Est. 2010
"Developing unique, tailor-made sailing projects. Each adventure we create with our partners is a total immersion in offshore racing - designed around their goals."
Partnership Opportunities

JOIN THE
JOURNEY

💎 Exclusive · One Partner Only
Platinum — Title Sponsor
Custom
Full Campaign 2026–2029 · Globe 40 Included
  • Boat officially named after your brand for the entire campaign
  • Maximum logo placement: hull, mainsail & all team kit
  • Spinnaker logo placement — available as add-on
  • Exclusive title naming rights across all 4 years & every race
  • Daily branded content during all offshore passages & races
  • Full media & broadcast integration — every press release carries your name
  • Dedicated documentary-style campaign content series
  • Unlimited VIP hospitality at every race worldwide
💎 Platinum Exclusives
  • Private aboard experience — sail with the crew
  • Custom brand activation at Globe 40 start & finish · Lorient, France
  • Real-time satellite race tracking dashboard branded for your company
  • Priority access to BE Racing's 250-company partner network
  • Annual executive briefing with team management & BE Racing leadership
  • First right of refusal for renewal at campaign end
Bronze Partner
Custom
Season or Per-Race
  • Logo on crew apparel
  • Social media feature posts (×2/season)
  • Digital presence on team website
  • 2 VIP race-day hospitality passes
  • Season recap & highlights mention
Silver Partner
Custom
Season Package
  • Logo on 4 sails
  • Monthly co-branded content
  • Press coverage & media mentions
  • 6 VIP passes + behind-the-scenes access
  • BE Racing partner network access (250 companies)
Gold — Title Partner
Custom
Full Campaign · Multi-Year Available
  • Large logo: hull, mainsail & all kit
  • Spinnaker logo placement — available as add-on
  • Weekly branded content across all channels
  • Exclusive broadcast & media integration
  • Unlimited VIP hospitality at all races
  • Custom activations at every event
  • Annual ROI & exposure analytics report
Get In Touch

LETS RACE
TOGETHER

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