Bureau des Îles Anglo-Normandes

On the 7 July, the Tour des Ports de la Manche, annual regatta organised by the La Manche Department and the Granville Yacht Club, which links various ports in La Manche and visits Jersey and Guernsey, had its first departure from St Hélier, Jersey.

For this launch, the Government of Jersey, represented by Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, deputy Kirsten Morel, received the President of the La Manche department, Jean Morin, the President of the Société des Ports de la Manche, Damien Pillon, as well as the President of the Yacht Club of Granville, Gilles Lezan and the General coordinator for the Tour des Ports, Luc Berthillier.

All sailing lovers were invited to come along to support the teams and share this joyous moment of competitive sport. The “Team Raoul” said “[we are] happy to have had a small preparation day in Jersey which allowed us to slowly amp the positive tension in face of the departure [the next day].”

The teams left Saint-Hélier on Sunday 7 July, and took the direction of the port of Granville. On the 8, the boats went from Granville to Carteret.

On the 9 July, the teams went from the port of Carteret to Guernsey, where the island welcomed them warmly. Deputy Chris Blin, President of Overseas Aid & Development Commission congratulated all participants and thanked the organisation committee during the award ceremony and the dinner for the teams, which took place in Candie Garden, nearby the Victor Hugo statue.

The Channel Islands are keen to welcome Norman sailors every year and remain privileged partners of this sporting and friendly event that unites us beyond the boarder.