The Seychelles Challenge certainly lived up to its name with unseasonally strong winds and big seas with charter boat racing adding to what was to become a successful inaugral event. The Seychelles Challenge partners and competitors added to a fantastic regatta, so much so that there are already committments from competitors to enter next year. Sail+Leisure was proud to be on location as the official media partner.

What it’s all about

When the idea to do this regatta came about, the concept was to race between the beautiful Seychelles islands, spending the night at each destination and enjoying the islands for what they are known for – crystal blue waters, gentle SE trade winds, white sandy beaches and gorgeous sunsets. However, the weather Gods had other plans. Race Director, Hylton Hale had his hands full dealing with the unseasonal conditions. This meant that the planned courses had to be changed on a daily basis and anchorages had to be adapted, which wasn’t a problem as the organisors and competitors are used to changing course due to the weather.

The opening ceremony was held at the magnificent Cap Lazare on Mahe island. Creole Travel Services hosted us at this beautiful nature reserve. Dignataries from the Ministry, Tourism Seychelles and the Seychelles Coast Guard attended the event.

Day 1

A dash from Mahe to Praslin. The fleet anchored off the north side of Cote D’Or beach and attended a drinks and snacks get together at Pirogue Lodge for the first of the daily prize givings.

Day 2

Was blown out so it was decided to rather motor to Anse Lazio and anchor there for the night. The beach was protected from the winds and it became easy to see why it was voted one of the worlds most beautiful beaches. Competitors took the time to relax on their boats and do some swimming and snorkelling. That evening a bring-and-share get together was held on the beach, barefoot in the sand – just the way we like it.

Day 3

A tactical race around Praslin island and anchoring once again off Cote D’Or beach. This was one of the competitiors favourite races with flat waters and not too much wind. It was a tactical course back to Praslin. The daily prize giving was once again held at Pirogue. This time, to add an element of fun, one of the competitors, Rob Sharp ran the prize giving that day.

Day 4

A spicy sprint in big seas and strong winds from Praslin to La Digue. Creole Travel Services hosted our mid-week prize giving at the stunning Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort and Spa that evening. High winds and lumpy seas prevented the fleet from anchoring outside the harbour as planned so it was decided that all competitors would tie-up inside the harbour for the night, which led to a festive raft up.

Day 5

The strongest winds and biggest seas were recorded this day for the return to Mahe. 4m swells and 30kn of wind provided an unstable sea-state. But the competitors loved it as it tested their mettle and it was a thrilling race! The boats anchored in Baie Sainte Anne that night.

Day 6

The final race, the ABSA Challenge, included the Fareast 28s for a race from Baie Sainte Anne around Brisare Rocks in a fresh SE wind – but this time with beautiful, sunny skies. It was a fitting way to end the Seychelles Challenge. The winner of the ABSA Challenge race was Tony Norris’s team, Knot Fast Just Furious.

The spirit of the Seychelles Challenge

The idea behind the Seychelles Challenge was to gather a group of like-minded people who embrace doing something different. It’s easy to charter a boat and cruise the islands, but racing from island to island in a fleet adds another perspective.

Racing charter boats when you’re used to racing grand prix yachts on a professional racing circuit is quite an adjustment. In the spirit of the event, all competitors raced on Sunsail or Moorings 454s. Professional helmsman, Tony Norris of TP52 Phoenix fame won the regatta overall. Tony entered the regatta with his permanent shore crew as a thank you for their hard work during the 52 Super Series season. The team on Knot Fast Just Furious included Phoenix boat captain James Largier and his wife Kerry, boat builder John Upman and shore crew Justin Clark, both with Phoenix. The team showed incredible skill in making a charter catamaran fly.

2nd overall was Bikinis and Bowlines with new-to-the-scene skipper Justin Clohessy and team members Karen Clohessy, Mike and Chania Morritt-Smith and Debbie Macready and Charl Trichardt landing a place on the podium.

In 3rd place was local favourite, Gilbert Victor sailing the Tourism Seychelles-chartered Fontaine Pijout. Crew included Danny Gertrude, Steven Gomez, Ryan Baccus, Marcus Marzocchi and Alain Alcindor. This entry also hosted international journalists covering the event.

Other multihull results

4th – Team Mischief: South African’s Hylton and Ingrid Hale, David Stevens, Bruce and Jenni Parker Forsyth, Mandy Penney

5th – #wheresal: Scottish grandmother Belinda and grandfather Alistair Dickson sailed with grandsons Alex and Fin Ranzo, with skipper Pada Joubert

6th –  Team Motor and Sail Investments: South African’s Rob Sharp, Stuart Loxton, Joshio Fisher, Michael Savage

Supporting the future

The Seychelles Sailing Academy, ably led by Seychelles Olympic Committee Head, Alain Alcindor, took the opportunity to showcase their talents and determination in an event sponsored by ABSA Seychelles. Young girls and boys took part in a fun regatta in the Eden Island Marina. These youngsters were awarded their positions at the closing ceremony to much applause and the awards were received with great pride.

Adding monohull racing to the mix

Although a few monohull entries were expected, only 1 team managed to committ. Local sailor Robbie Dove hosted Stephen Mergens from Virginia and Donald Shurman from Seattle. Together they showed great seamanship in really rough conditions in their 40ft monohull. Robbie almost didn’t make the event at all as his own boat suffered engine damage a day before the start. Showing true spirit and determination he managed to borrow another boat to ensure that he could still compete.

Adding to the single monohull entry were the Fareast 28s, a robust fleet which sails regularly out of Mahe. A special regatta was included in the line up on the first and last day of the Seychelles Challenge.

6 entries raced with the following results:

1st place with 4 points – Pat Lablanche and team The Love Boat

2nd place with 8 points – Harold Stevens and team Forever Young

3rd place with 9 points – Andre Calais and team Annunaki

With appreciation

At the joyful closing event held at Eden Bleu Hotel, indivisuals and organisations were acknowledged for their contribution to making this event a huge success.

A sailing event is only successful if the racing is fair and fun. And principal race officer Doug Alison, assisted by Judy Alison, provided extremely efficient and fair racing. They were helped on the bridge by official event photographer and videographer Matt du Toit, Willie van Wyk and Leonie Mollentze. Alain Alcindor received a special thank you for his assistance with mark laying and overall bridge duties.

Appreciation awards were awarded to: the Seychelles Challenge sailing committee, Captain Edwin Constance of the Seychelles Coast Guard and his team Josh, Albert and Nicholas, Bernard Poole (Fareast representative), Rory Percival and Rhys Davies from HO at Moorings and Sunsail and to their man on the ground, base manager, Jean Paul D’Unienville, and to Alain Alcindor (Ocean Sailing Academy).

The Spirit of the Seychelles award was given to local skipper Pada Joubert for his positive, smily attitude.

Team of the week was awarded to Motor and Sail Investment: Rob Sharp, Stuart Loxton, Michael Savage and Joshio Fisher

A special tribute

Seychelles Challenge co-founder Bruce Parker Forsythe ended the proceedings by paying special tribute to the partners who supported the inaugral event, and who can now be counted as friends of the Seychelles Challenge.

The Tourism Seychelles team, ably led by Bernadette Willemin, Director General of Destination Marketing and her team members Christine Vel and Marie-Julie Stephen, were an instrumental support to the event. Ensuring every need was taken care of to showcase the Seychelles in the best way possible, they are true champions of the islands.

In her closing speech, Bernadette paid tribute to the success of the event and the spirit in which it was run and held. With this is mind she confirmed that Tourism Seychelles would support the Seychelles Challenge again next year!

With thanks

Creole Travel Services provided excellent support and hosted us in the most spectacular locations – thank you.

Air Seychelles provided flights and Airtel provided reliable connectivity.

All in all the 2025 Seychelles Challenge was a well-run and successful event. The organisors are aware that this event could gow very quickly and they will need to ensure that it remains a boutique event, one which will still offer personal attention and one that offers incredible experiences with like-minded people.

Pictures, drone shots and videos by Matthew du Toit @mattdtza