​Record: 15-year-old crosses the English Channel in an Optimist – is the Vendée Globe next?

A 15-year-old sailing alone in a junior dinghy, on one of Europe’s busiest shipping lanes: Pierre Cornu’s crossing of the English Channel in an Optimist made him famous beyond France’s borders. The young sailor reached Cherbourg on 26 July 2026, having set off from the Isle of Wight. The crossing took him 13 hours and 36 minutes, significantly beating the previous record of 14 hours and 20 minutes set by Tom Goron in 2018.

Not a spur-of-the-moment adventure

The trip had apparently been planned well in advance. *Le Parisien* had already reported on Cornu’s plans on 9 July 2026, citing the second half of July as the planned timeframe, subject to weather conditions. The 15-year-old was described there as an experienced young sailor who had been the French RS Feva champion in 2025 and who trains regularly.

After arriving in Cherbourg at around 8.00 pm, Cornus said he was mentally and physically exhausted. The seventh hour had been the worst. His parents had been accompanying him the whole time in another sailing boat.

An interview with Pierre Cornu

In the wake of Violette Dorange

Violette Dorange, who would later go on to compete in the Vendée Globe, also crossed the English Channel in an Optimist as a teenager. In the YACHT profile on Violette Dorange, the youngest competitor in the Vendée Globe This early Channel crossing is described as an important step in her development as an offshore sailor.

Is an Opti crossing like this primarily an inspiring way to encourage young people to take up sport, or does the event push the boundaries of what is acceptable? Join the discussion and share your views in the comments.