A Week of High-Performance Immersion for the K-Challenge Akademy Ahead of the Lorient ETF26 Grand Prix

Lorient, 6 August 2026 – Just days before the Lorient ETF26 Grand Prix, the young sailors and female athletes of the K-Challenge Akademy took part in an intensive week-long training camp at the K-Challenge base in Lanester. A full immersion in a high-performance environment, reflecting the Akademy's ambition to develop the next generation of sailors capable of competing at the highest level of international sailing.

Led by Akademy coach Julien d'Ortoli, sailing coach Charles Dorange and K-Challenge Akademy Manager Léo Chapalain, the camp combined daily on-water training with educational workshops. Throughout the week, the athletes also benefited from sessions delivered by K-Challenge experts, who shared their knowledge and experience across a range of high-performance topics.

The programme included physical conditioning, ETF26 sailing sessions, simulator training, technical and sporting debriefs, as well as workshops designed to support both the athletes' development and their future careers.

One workshop focused on the business of sport, helping the sailors better understand the environment in which they will build their careers, including partnerships, sponsorship, media, personal branding and long-term project development. A second workshop explored athlete identity, raising awareness of the importance of communication and image management in elite sport.

Physical preparation was also a key component of the camp, with sessions led by K-Challenge Strength & Conditioning Coach Kylian Philippe. The athletes were introduced to the future Human Performance department that will support the Youth & Women's America's Cup teams and underwent an initial physical assessment, including body composition measurements, as the starting point for their long-term performance monitoring. This approach forms part of a comprehensive performance programme combining physical preparation, nutrition, medical support and personalised athlete development.

"The objective of these camps is not to prepare for one specific competition, but to help the entire group improve throughout the season. We deliberately rotate the crew combinations every day, both on the ETF26 and on the simulator, so that everyone learns to sail with different teammates. That diversity is a real strength. We're also placing increasing emphasis on simulator training, which will play a key role in preparing our athletes for the foiling platforms of tomorrow," said Léo Chapalain, K-Challenge Akademy Manager.

The week also provided plenty of inspiration. Alongside their own training sessions, the athletes of the La Roche-Posay Racing Team by K-Challenge were sailing the AC75 as part of their preparation for the next America's Cup. This unique proximity perfectly reflects the Akademy's mission: giving its athletes daily exposure to the standards of the sport's highest level. Watching an America's Cup boat sailing on the same racecourse offered a unique source of motivation for these young sailors.

This culture of sharing will continue next week, when the K-Challenge Akademy athletes will meet members of FC Lorient's academy for a joint session focused on physical preparation and the common demands of high-performance sport.

Eyes on the Lorient ETF26 Grand Prix

This training camp marks the final stage of preparation before next week's Lorient ETF26 Grand Prix.

The event holds particular significance for the ETF26 class. For the first time, the championship will visit Lorient, the birthplace of the ETF26, where the boat was designed and developed and where several teams are based. Home to K-Challenge, Lorient will welcome France's leading foiling sailors while offering spectators the opportunity to experience the excitement of high-speed foiling racing up close.

Two crews will represent the K-Challenge Akademy

K-Challenge Akademy Blue
Clément Martineau (Helm)
Gaultier Tallieu
Eliott Savelin

K-Challenge Akademy White
Pauline Courtois (Helm)
Maelle Frascari
Audrey Ogereau
Lara Granier

Beyond the sporting result, the event will provide another valuable opportunity for the Akademy athletes to continue their development against the best teams in the ETF26 circuit. It is another demonstration of the K-Challenge Akademy's mission: preparing tomorrow's sailing talent for the demands of elite competition.