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On 29 September, seven crews landed since La Grande Motte to start an extraordinary trip: one sailing around the world which will extend over three years. This symbolic departure marks the World Odyssey 25 pre-departure, a rally around the world organized by Grand Large Yachting.
Cape to the Canary Islands, first technical stop in Lanzarote, before the official departure scheduled for end November 2025. Some 30 browsers, families and adventurers share a common dream: tour the world safely, accompanied by a community of experts and enthusiasts.
An emotional start from La Grande Motte
In the early morning hours, the wharves of La Grande Motte vibrated with a unique atmosphere: that of great start.
The rally team, accompanied by croissants, baguettes and chocolate breads, came to greet each crew to share a last French breakfast before leaving for their first stopover.
Between the last round-trips to the supermarkets to close the supply and the final technical checks, the effervescence blended with emotion.
Families, friends and members of the group's construction sites Grand Large Yachting were gathered on the dock for accompany these sailors to their dream.
Around 1 p.m., the moorings were dropped: seven sailboats left the port, greeted by a flotilla ofOverseas came to sail alongside them for these first symbolic miles.
A first step to the Canary Islands before the big jump
The crews are now heading for the Canary Islands, the first technical stopover in Lanzarote, where the fleet will be in full mid-November.
Before that, a stopover in Tangier will allow to accommodate seven additional boats, while the last participants will join the adventure for the official start of the tour of the world end of November 2025.
A sailing tour of the world in two routes
The World Odyssey 25 is much more than just a nautical rally: it is a sailing around the world, to discover cultures, oceans and exceptional landscapes.
Two major routes are offered to navigators:
- The Tropical Road, which will lead the crews across the Atlantic, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, then to the islands the Pacific, French Polynesia, Australia, before continuing towards the Indian Ocean, the Cape of Good Hope and the return to the Mediterranean.
- The South Road, more demanding, will lead the sailboats through the southern seas and the mythical Magellan Strait, offering a rare experience in the heart of Chilean fjords and the great winds of the South.
Whatever the route chosen, the crews will experience an exceptional maritime voyage, marked by friendly stops, cultural discoveries and mutual assistance between navigators.
A meticulous preparation of several months
Before sailing, participants followed a full accompanying programme, designed and animated by Grand Large Services and the teams of the group.
For more than two years, each crew has benefited from personalized monitoring, combining technical training, meetings and logistical support :
- Regular webinars to address vessel preparation, crew management and safety at sea.
- World Odyssey University, a week of intensive training in Lorient, dedicated to life on board, maintenance and emergency procedures. Training offered by Technical Training, group training centre, on key themes such as survival, mechanics, or medicine in Blue Water Sailing.
- Exchanges with the first GLYWO 500 rallycome to share their advice and experience.
This preparation illustrates the group's mission: accompany browsers in their dream of Blue Water Sailing in sailing, in safety and autonomy.
A new chapter opens on all the seas of the globe
The sailing boats of the World Odyssey 25 now for a journey of more than 35,000 nautical milesacross the world's oceans.
For three years they will set course towards the Caribbean, the Galápagos, the Marquesas, Tahiti, Fiji, then South-East Asia, the Indian Ocean, and finally the return to the Mediterranean.
A unique maritime odyssey, guided by the passion, solidarity and taste of the wide.
A human and technical adventure that once again bears witness to the know-how and innovation spirit who lead the group Grand Large Yachting.
Join the next edition of World Odyssey
Every two years, new crews simmer to the tour of the world sailing. The Next departure of World Odyssey will take place in November 2027 — a new opportunity to realize this life project, accompanied by the teams Grand Large Yachting Rally.
🚀 Ask for more information and embark on adventure 2027.
They're dropping the moorings today... what if the next ones were you?