F18 European Tour 2026: La Rochelle by Olivier Lhopez

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Photo credit: Olivier Lhopez / La Rochelle Nautique

F18 Europeans Tour 2026: La Rochelle

All images kind courtesy Olivier Lhopez, check his IG here , his portfolio web including some Windsurf gemes at https://olivierlhopezphotographe.com/

Such effort by the local European Formula 18 sailors gathering a new tour to promote the Class, deserves proper exposure with Pro photography.

At Barcelona we had 1 single photo from the ramp… but hey , the IF18CA officials were there! Yay…

Luckily enough for La Rochelle, Olivier Lhopez was there taking great shots for the Semaine de La Rochelle Voile Légère organized by La Rochelle Nautique.
We asked him yesterday night if he had some F18 pics to publish with due credit of course, and he just sent around 50! great shots.

On the water, La Rochelle delivered this past week, Argies reported double trap sailing almost each day.

The racing had all conditions though, first day was cancelled due to strong winds, but the second they launched 5 consecutive races, first 3 held in light winds and the last two in +20knots.

Second day saw perfect 9-12 knots and another good day for the last one, with the Long Distance included.

Overall win went to Patrik Demesmaeker & Gilles Tas (Goodall Akurra), the new series main promoter, Victorien Eurussard , & Frederic Moreau in second (Akurra) and Cruz Gonzalez Smith & Mariano Heuser in third.

The Argie F18 powerhouse team (4 World Podiums) sailed Manu Boulogne’s new Cirrus R3.
A slow start with some errors in first races held in light stuff later became a bullet show.
An UFD wich was #1 on the water left them without chances for the first place, but they showed how versatile the Formula 18 Class can be if you swap platforms on the fly.

Of course it has to be a fast F18, and Manu Boulogne’s Cirrus R3 has proven to be a winner already past week at the Eurocat held at YC Carnac. The Argies will continue to sail the R3 looking forward to the Lake Como Europeans 2026 in July.

Thanks again to Olivier Lhopez for the pics, much needed and appreciated.

F18 European Series web: f18europeantour.com/

Complete results below: