The name « Skippers d’Islande »  www.skippersdislande.fr and its route witness historical links that have existed between Paimpol and Iceland. The race makes reference to the cod fishing epic which started in 1852 in Paimpol which lasted 80 years and which peaked in 1895. During this era, 80 schooners were armed and provided Paimpol with both fortune and reputation. The last two schooners left Paimpol Harbor in 1935. The ship-owners both armed ships and recruited mariners from the surrounding areas on a large scale.

Each year, fourty to eighty schooners used to cast off at the beginning of spring to return in autumn, if they were lucky enough to come back. Between 1852 and 1935, almost 120 boats were wrecked, hit by storms, fog and piracy. 2 000 courageous mariners from Paimpol, Ploubazlanec and districts were lost.

The 2010 route includes the Town of Gravelines:Gravelines also has its own important links with Iceland as cod fishing used to be one of its fishermen’s main activities and at the beginning of the 19th century; its fleet reached up to 100 boats.

The race has large national media coverage as well as in very specialized boating magazines. During the former races, the internet website, on which hundreds people kept tracks of the boats, was updated twice a day.

Since Frank Heyninck bought his boat (RM 1050) he had the idea to sail to Iceland. In 2008 one of his crew members Eric Folcque informed Frank about the race Skippers d’Islande. At this moment the team is preparing the boat for the 2010 edition. During the preparations the idea arose to dedicate this trip to the National Belgian MS-league.