Les Voiles de l’Espoir, a regatta for less fortunate children

Les Voiles de l’Espoir, the world’s biggest nautical event for children in remission from cancer and leukaemia, returns for its 12^th edition from 15-22 June 2024 and will be calling into Monaco on Wednesday 19^th June. Organized every two years since 2001, this 100% volunteer event is orchestrated by the ‘Les Voiles de l’Espoir’ endowment fund. Fifty cruise sailing boats are expected to line up on the start of this wonderful adventure for the children and requires at least two years’ preparation from a technical, financial and, above all, human point of view.

The goal is to spend a week sailing with children aged 8 to 14 from around the world who are in remission from cancer or leukemia. This year, children from France, Morocco, Israel, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Switzerland will participate in the initiative.

Already more than 1,000 youngsters have benefited from this initiative in previous editions. These children have known only illness, isolation, hospital stays and intensive chemotherapy from a young age. Thanks to Les Voiles de l’Espoir, they are taken out of their medical and family situation to experience an unforgettable adventure with others. During the week they rediscover the joys of learning, working hard and living with other people. It’s a programme of transformation that helps every child to look ahead to life as an adult as they regain their self-confidence so often impaired by illness.

Every two years, ‘Les Voiles de l’Espoir’ heads for a different destination. After exploring Languedoc-Roussillon, Normandy, Poitou-Charentes, Brittany and Champagne-Ardenne, more recently they’ve chosen to sail close to Mediterranean shores in Corsica and on the Côte d’Azur.

This year’s edition of Les Voiles de l’Espoir promises many more unforgettable moments. The six stage towns on the programme are Saint-Raphaël, Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Monaco and Golfe-Juan. After dropping anchor in the Yacht Club de Monaco Marina, these plucky young sailors will attend the changing of the guard on Place du Palais followed by a tour of the Palace, before taking their places in cars belonging to members of the Automobile Club de Monaco’s historic committee for a whip round the legendary F1 circuit. Finally, they will be hosted by Yacht Club de Monaco at the end of the day to take part in psycho-fun workshops before a Princes and Princesses themed party.