Tour des côtes de France
He is from Nantes, deadpan and a keen fan of great sailing yachts. Behind his narrow-framed glasses, blazers and club ties, he hides a daredevil character. His name is Bernard Decré. He is not yet 40 and is not wealthy. But he has an idea: convincing each major port in France to fit out a schooner over 30m, then to compete against strictly identical rivals along France’s coastline. As he does not secure backing for his project, he scales back his plans: in 1977, he submits a proposal to local municipalities for a new team challenge, involving one-design sailing yachts under 10m, inspired by the legendary Grande Boucle, the cycling Tour of France. It already has a name: the Tour de France à la Voile or the Sailing Tour of France.
Specifically, it would be a tour of France’s coastline, from Dunkirk to Menton, with a number of stopovers. Switching from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean would be a simple formality: the boats taking part would be small enough to take the Canal du Midi.
The crews would of course be amateurs – professionals were not yet up and running at the time. They would be made up of young people, university students and even high school students, who would take turns on board during the six weeks of summer needed to complete the race. Modeled on the cycling Tour de France, the organizer plans several classifications: the first with the shortest combined time would have a yellow spinnaker. The points classification leader would have a green spinnaker.
Working in the publishing and press sectors up until then, Decré creates an ad hoc company, gets in touch with a lender, and contacts France’s eight largest yacht builders. Optimistic, he promises them a group order for 20 units. He logically hopes to receive an enthusiastic response and preferential pricing. Without waiting for their response, the Nantes native manages to convince around 20 municipalities and departmental councils to set up crews to fly their flag, while identifying recreational ports that would be able to accommodate his still virtual boats and his tour, which is still a dream.
Unfortunately, this does not happen! None of the yards contacted follow up on his request. Decré is furious, until Mallard, in La Rochelle, finally agrees to supply 20 Écume de Mer boats. With a discount of just 8%… This pretty little 8m, 5-berth coastal cruiser entered production around 10 years earlier. With his relentless dedication and perseverance, Decré manages to lease this squadron. He then rents his yachts to the municipalities and departmental councils which he has managed to bring on board and which have recruited their best young regatta racers. He has just under six months left to get everything organized.
The first Sailing Tour de France sets out from Dunkirk on July 6, 1978.
And the event is a great success from the outset. The fleet, which is still grouped together, offers a beautiful summer spectacle, while the vibrant caravan and podium, animated by RMC, is an attraction for people on their summer holidays. The atmosphere is both sporty and good-natured. The southwest crossing via the Canal du Midi turns out to be epic. Each town or village along the route tries to outdo one another with imaginative activities and events to distribute their local produce, including wines and spirits. At the finish in Menton, Marseille wins the event. Its skipper is called François Pailloux. He is 18 years old.
Decré’s gamble has paid off. He immediately sells his fleet and orders 25 First 30s (9m) from Bénéteau. The Tour ramps up its levels and standards. But the keels on the new boats are too deep to take the Canal du Midi. This does not matter though as they are simply transported by truck from Royan to Port Barcarès. This exceptional convoy will not go unnoticed.
Dunkirk, with its young skipper Joé Seeten and excellent crew, win the event in 1979. They repeat their success in 1980 and 1981. The Tour de France à la Voile has taken up a unique position in the regatta racing landscape. It will help train a generation of champions.