The Tour des Yoles is the most popular event of the year, along with Carnival. Every year, between 13 and 20 round skiffs compete for the title of Tour de la Martinique. Stages are held in towns announced in advance. Rivalry between the boats is fierce. Not only do they represent the companies they display prominently on their sails, but each one is also associated with a commune of Martinique. However, it is possible for several yawls to represent the same commune, and some communes - most often those that are not coastal and therefore have no access to the sea - are not represented. So it's a question of local honor to win the Tour.
It usually takes place in late July or early August. There is a prologue on the start day and 7 stages over 7 consecutive days. The prologue does not count towards the overall classification, and is only used to award the various jerseys. It's a sort of warm-up lap. It's rarely a harbinger of things to come on the Tour. At the same time, wouldn't it be a good idea to concentrate one's energies on a race that counts for "butter", and tire oneself out when 7 long, physical stages will be at stake the very next day?
Unlike the Tour Cycliste de la Martinique, the entire length of Martinique is covered, except in cases of force majeure (bad weather).
This year, the start will be in the bay of Fort-de-France. The 37th edition will take place from Sunday July 30, 2023 to Sunday August 6, 2023.
The "Mapipis" (favorites in yawl parlance) will once again be UFR / Chanflor, Ets Rosette / Orange, L'Appalooza / Ho Hio Hen, and of course Brasserie Lorraine / SARA Energies Nouvelles.
Last year's winner was Sara / Énergies nouvelles, owned by Diany Rémy. In this 37th edition, potentially 13 crews will take the start.
Yawls taking part in the 37th edition (subject to change):
- Sans sponsor
Association: Aprant
Yawl name: Ti-Louis
Boss: Isaac Lafleur
Municipality: Marin
- Cottrell - Leader Mat
Association: Athon
Yawl name: Le dernier jugement
Boss: Loïc Mas
Municipality: François
- Snack Élyzé Restaurant – Madiana Cinéma
Association: Ay Douvan
Yawl name: Express
Boss: Marc-Emmanuel Floriane
Municipality: Sainte-Anne
- Prixe - Westpoint
Association: Baie des mulets
Yawl name: L'ambéli
Boss: Mike Melidor-Fuxis
Municipality: Vauclin
- GFA Caraïbes
Association: Bwa viré
Yawl name: Tornade
Boss: Christophe Dédé
Municipality: Le Robert
- UFR – Chanflor
Association: Caracoli
Yawl name: Caracoli
Boss: Félix Mérine
Municipality: Le Robert
- CFA UMIH Formation - RSMA Martinique
Association: Chabin-an
Yawl name: Chabin-an
Boss: Philippe Daquin
Municipality: Le François
- SNEM - Solar Inox - Groupe Limitless
Association: Fem & Hom à la barre
Yawl name: Ti boug- Énergie
Boss: Steve Jacqua
Municipality: Le François
- Mac Donald's
Association: Flech'la
Yawl name: Sagesse
Boss: Olivier Mérine
Municipality: Ducos
- CDTM - EDF - Fraikin
Association: Gommier et Tradition
Yawl name: Sa pa zafe'w
Boss: Mario Malfleury
Municipality: Lamentin
- Royal - Fruits de Martinique - ADEP
Association: La yole trinitéenne
Yawl name: Fayo
Boss: Philippe Attely
Municipality: Trinité
- Rosette – L'Appaloosa
Association: L'Arme fatale
Yawl name: L'Arme fatale
Boss: Kenny Exilie
Municipality: François
- Mr Bricolage
Association: Las Palmas
Yawl name: La révélation
Boss: Jimmy Bellune
Municipality: Le Robert
- SAPRO - Pneus Cash
Association: Vini wè sa
Yawl name: Laurent Mas
Municipality: Martinique
- Sara Énergies Nouvelles – Autodistribution Martinique
Association: Yole Net 2000
Yawl name: Spica
Boss: Diany Rémy
Municipality: Marin
- Pizzas des Îles
Association: Zizitata
Yawl name: Shimizu
Boss: Yohan Curton
Municipality: Vauclin
If you want to get there, prepare well in advance. In fact, for a stage starting at 9:00-10:00 am, the welcoming beaches are taken by storm as early as 7:00 am!
