The Atlantic Challenge International Contest of Seamanship in Roskilde, Denmark
July 6–13, 2026
Crews of 20 people, ages 15 and up, will gather in Roskilde, Denmark for a week of sailing, rowing, knot-tying, navigation races, and social events with crews from a dozen nations.
Training in France Before the Contest:
Team USA and the Mixed International Team will meet in Mesquer, France for training in borrowed French-built gigs before traveling to Roskilde by train and plane. Mesquer is a small coastal village in the Loire-Atlantique region of northwest France and home to the boatbuilding school Skol Ar Mor, our training partner for this program. Mesquer is also the likely host of the AC 2030 Contest.
Because France has many Bantry Bay gigs, our plan is to borrow boats there rather than ship them from Maine. Nations likely represented within the Mixed International Team include the USA, Japan, Indonesia, and Ukraine. Additional countries may join as well.
The French crew will also be training during part of our stay. While each crew will train primarily with their own team, we will have opportunities for shared practice sessions, including three-gig sailing and rowing races. Skol Ar Mor will provide a powerboat for setting up courses and supporting the gigs on the water for additional safety.
Key Dates:
Accommodations:
During Training in Mesquer, France, accommodations will either be:
If staying with families, breakfast and dinner will be provided by the host families; lunch will be shared with all crews. If camping, all meals will be eaten together. We can accommodate most dietary needs.
During the Contest in Roskilde, Denmark:
Each team of 20 people will be assigned a classroom in a local school for group sleeping. Participants will sleep on the floor using their own camp pads and sleeping bags.
Meals include:
Spectators:
Family and supporters are welcome!
We recommend flying into Copenhagen and taking the 20-minute train ride to Roskilde. Lodging options include Airbnb, Danhostel, or a nearby campground.
Tuition for American Participants as part of Team USA or Mixed International Crew
Tuition includes:
Travel Details:
Travel to France from Boston:
Participants are responsible for getting themselves to Logan International Airport to the designated meeting point on the day of departure, likely June 21.
Some participants may carpool or take vans/buses from midcoast Maine. Detailed logistics will be provided later.
Return Travel: Denmark to Boston
We plan to fly back to Boston on July 14. Participants may be picked up in Boston, or we can help arrange Concord Coach bus transportation to Portland.
Some crew members may choose to stay in Boston to attend part of the Tall Ships Festival (July 11–16). We’re happy to help explore options for attending and finding accommodations.
Any questions? Please email us, thanks!
July 6–13, 2026
Crews of 20 people, ages 15 and up, will gather in Roskilde, Denmark for a week of sailing, rowing, knot-tying, navigation races, and social events with crews from a dozen nations.
Training in France Before the Contest:
Team USA and the Mixed International Team will meet in Mesquer, France for training in borrowed French-built gigs before traveling to Roskilde by train and plane. Mesquer is a small coastal village in the Loire-Atlantique region of northwest France and home to the boatbuilding school Skol Ar Mor, our training partner for this program. Mesquer is also the likely host of the AC 2030 Contest.
Because France has many Bantry Bay gigs, our plan is to borrow boats there rather than ship them from Maine. Nations likely represented within the Mixed International Team include the USA, Japan, Indonesia, and Ukraine. Additional countries may join as well.
The French crew will also be training during part of our stay. While each crew will train primarily with their own team, we will have opportunities for shared practice sessions, including three-gig sailing and rowing races. Skol Ar Mor will provide a powerboat for setting up courses and supporting the gigs on the water for additional safety.
Key Dates:
- June 21: Fly from Boston to France
- July 3: Fly from France to Copenhagen, then take a 20-minute train to Roskilde
- July 6–13: The Atlantic Challenge Contest at the Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde
- July 14: Fly from Copenhagen to Boston or arrange your own onward travel
Accommodations:
During Training in Mesquer, France, accommodations will either be:
- Group camping in tents at a local campground, or
- Homestays with local families in small groups
If staying with families, breakfast and dinner will be provided by the host families; lunch will be shared with all crews. If camping, all meals will be eaten together. We can accommodate most dietary needs.
During the Contest in Roskilde, Denmark:
Each team of 20 people will be assigned a classroom in a local school for group sleeping. Participants will sleep on the floor using their own camp pads and sleeping bags.
Meals include:
- Breakfast and dinner: Buffet-style in a large cafeteria
- Lunch: Served under a big tent at the Viking Ship Museum
Spectators:
Family and supporters are welcome!
We recommend flying into Copenhagen and taking the 20-minute train ride to Roskilde. Lodging options include Airbnb, Danhostel, or a nearby campground.
Tuition for American Participants as part of Team USA or Mixed International Crew
Tuition includes:
- All accommodations
- Training instruction
- Contest participation fees
- Borrowed gigs
- Insurance
- All meals
- All group travel beginning in Maine on June 21
- Travel from France to Denmark on July 4
- Travel from Denmark to Boston on July 14
Travel Details:
Travel to France from Boston:
Participants are responsible for getting themselves to Logan International Airport to the designated meeting point on the day of departure, likely June 21.
Some participants may carpool or take vans/buses from midcoast Maine. Detailed logistics will be provided later.
Return Travel: Denmark to Boston
We plan to fly back to Boston on July 14. Participants may be picked up in Boston, or we can help arrange Concord Coach bus transportation to Portland.
Some crew members may choose to stay in Boston to attend part of the Tall Ships Festival (July 11–16). We’re happy to help explore options for attending and finding accommodations.
Any questions? Please email us, thanks!
Tuition Deadlines:
Tuition Information:
Americans Sliding Scale Tuition Team USA is currently full. Please join the Mixed International Team.
(For Americans participating on either Team USA or the Mixed International Team)
*Includes R/T flights from Boston - France - Denmark - Boston
*Includes Meals, Accommodations, Training and Contest fees June 21 - July 14
*We may be able to adjust your tuition if you are not traveling with the group R/T from Boston.
International Sliding Scale Tuition
For Mixed International Team Training & Contest of Seamanship, June 21-July 14, 2025
The costs listed below do not include your transportation to Mesquer, France for the start of training nor your transportation home from Copenhagen, Denmark after the end of the Contest of Seamanship.
Costs Per Person for Training and Contest:
Training Accomodations - homestays in France = $0 (Donated by Skol ar Mor)
Gig for Training and Contest = $0 (Donated by Skol ar Mor)
Chase Boat for Training (June 22 - July 3) = $0 (Donated by Skol ar Mor)
Chase Boat Fuel = $40
Food during Training (June 22 - July 3) = $150
Pay for Training Instructors = $200
Insurance $45
Total Training Cost = $435
Transportation Costs between Training and Contest
Gig Transport Drivers between France and Denmark, round trip = $355
Train ticket from Mesquer, France to Nantes, France = $25
Flight from Nantes, France to Copenhagen, Denmark = $200
Train tickets between Copenhagen and Roskilde, round trip = $15
Total Transportation Costs = $595
Contest Participation Fees:
Contest fees (July 4 - July 14) = $470
TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS PER PARTICIPANT = $1,500
Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel, please email us no later than one month before your program start date.
Atlantic Challenge USA reserves the right to cancel programs in cases of emergency, low enrollment, or other circumstances. In the event of program cancellation, all tuition and deposits will be refunded.
- March 15: Half of tuition due
- May 15: Full tuition due
Tuition Information:
Americans Sliding Scale Tuition Team USA is currently full. Please join the Mixed International Team.
(For Americans participating on either Team USA or the Mixed International Team)
*Includes R/T flights from Boston - France - Denmark - Boston
*Includes Meals, Accommodations, Training and Contest fees June 21 - July 14
*We may be able to adjust your tuition if you are not traveling with the group R/T from Boston.
- Baseline rate: $3700. This covers the full cost of the program.
- Supportive rate: $4400. This rate is 20% higher than the baseline and helps us offer more access to participants who cannot pay the full amount.
- Reduced rate: $2960. This rate is 20% lower than the baseline, making our programs more accessible to those who need financial support.
International Sliding Scale Tuition
For Mixed International Team Training & Contest of Seamanship, June 21-July 14, 2025
The costs listed below do not include your transportation to Mesquer, France for the start of training nor your transportation home from Copenhagen, Denmark after the end of the Contest of Seamanship.
- Baseline rate: $1500. This covers the full cost of the program.
- Supportive rate: $1800. This rate is 20% higher than the baseline and helps us offer more access to participants who cannot pay the full amount.
- Reduced rate: $1200. This rate is 20% lower than the baseline, making our programs more accessible to those who need financial support.
Costs Per Person for Training and Contest:
Training Accomodations - homestays in France = $0 (Donated by Skol ar Mor)
Gig for Training and Contest = $0 (Donated by Skol ar Mor)
Chase Boat for Training (June 22 - July 3) = $0 (Donated by Skol ar Mor)
Chase Boat Fuel = $40
Food during Training (June 22 - July 3) = $150
Pay for Training Instructors = $200
Insurance $45
Total Training Cost = $435
Transportation Costs between Training and Contest
Gig Transport Drivers between France and Denmark, round trip = $355
Train ticket from Mesquer, France to Nantes, France = $25
Flight from Nantes, France to Copenhagen, Denmark = $200
Train tickets between Copenhagen and Roskilde, round trip = $15
Total Transportation Costs = $595
Contest Participation Fees:
Contest fees (July 4 - July 14) = $470
TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS PER PARTICIPANT = $1,500
Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel, please email us no later than one month before your program start date.
- Cancellations 1 month or more before the start date: Refund of tuition minus the $250 deposit.
- Cancellations within 1 month of the start date: Refund of 50% of tuition minus the $250 deposit.
Atlantic Challenge USA reserves the right to cancel programs in cases of emergency, low enrollment, or other circumstances. In the event of program cancellation, all tuition and deposits will be refunded.