A well-known sponsor in the world of ocean racing, the Paprec group is taking a step forward and strengthening its commitment to competitive sailing. The French leader in recycling is on board with OC Sport Pen Duick for six years as a partner of the two flagship races of the Figaro Bénéteau circuit and the French Elite Offshore Racing Championship.
Paprec becomes Main Partner of La Solitaire du Figaro and Title Partner of the Double Transat Concarneau – Saint-Barthélemy. The Double Transat, renamed “Transat Paprec”, becomes the first mixed doubles Transatlantic race. A strong, long-term commitment, which brings the promise of great moments of sport and sharing on these two major events on the circuit, while working on the attractiveness and development of the sector for women skippers.
Paprec and sailing: a story spanning more than two decades
Paprec and sailing already have a long history. Paprec has been a sponsor since the creation of the group in 1994 and its commitment has grown with its size over the years. In the sporting world, the Paprec Group stands out for its loyalty. For around twenty years, he has supported the greatest champions of ocean competition, including Jean-Pierre Dick, double winner of the Barcelona World Race, quadruple winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre, but also sailor of the year in 2011. A commitment that continues today with Yoann Richomme and Arkéa through the construction of a new boat for the 2024 Vendée Globe. With six major victories on the IMOCA circuit and five participations in the Vendée Globe, Paprec has also been successful for 12 years on inshore circuits with a TP 52 skippered by Stéphane Névé. The group is undoubtedly among the most dynamic players in sailing sponsorship. A field where he finds the values of surpassing himself, team cohesion and perseverance written in his DNA, which have allowed him to rise in a few years to the rank of key players in recycling, and energy and agronomic recovery. garbage.
Paprec, partner of excellence today and tomorrow with the choice of the Figaro Bénéteau circuit
Paprec is thus entering the two main races of the Figaro Bénéteau circuit and the elite French Offshore Racing Championship as Main Partner of La Solitaire du Figaro and Title Partner of the Double Transat Concarneau-Saint-Barthélemy renamed Transat Paprec. Paprec knows La Solitaire very well, given the track record of the different skippers who have taken turns at the helm of boats in the group's colors, but also since its General Director, Sébastien Petithuguenin himself took part in the flagship event of the Championship. of France Elite Offshore Racing.
The Paprec group confirms the creation of a new prize for this competition, the “ Legends Trophy ”, “Bringing back the skippers who have marked the history of sailing to confront the new generation in this legendary race is an excellent idea,” comments Michel Desjoyeaux. “It will bring back good memories!” », adds Alain Gautier.
The Transat Paprec: first 100% mixed Doubles Transat
Faithful to its historic format, double-handed, on equal terms, on the Figaro Bénéteau 3 one-designs, this key meeting of the calendar has offered enthusiasts and the general public a leading, exciting and thrilling competition for more than 30 years.
Between Brittany at Concarneau and Saint-Barthélemy, its historic ports of arrival, on a route of nearly 3900 minutes, the Transat, formerly Transat Ag2r and now called Transat Paprec, has established itself as an obligatory passage for the greatest names of the discipline and young talents in the making.
In collaboration with OC Sport Pen Duick, the FFVoile and the Figaro class, a significant renewal is being carried out for this race with the implementation of a 100% mixed doubles format. The Olympic series are already evolving in mixed doubles (470, Nacra), the wave will now extend to offshore racing with this Transat Paprec. This new configuration, a major development in line with the challenges of today's society, should make it possible to accelerate access to excellence in offshore racing for women.
They like the Mixed Double deckchair:
The concept is already arousing a lot of enthusiasm among sailors, like Nils Palmieri , winner of the last double-handed transatlantic with Julien Villon for whom "it's an excellent thing for a lot of reasons, already it's in the era of time to seek to have a form of equality. I think it's great that men and women are sailing together on the same boat, it's also an excellent thing for the partners and sponsors, particularly mine, for whom the notion of mixed doubles speaks for itself.”
Corentin Horeau , for his part, admits “not knowing the difference between male and female skippers”. The sailor remembers his participation last year in a duo with Elodie Bonafous: “I ran the last transatlantic double with Elodie, so a mixed double transatlantic is not only feasible but there is a way to achieve a good result . And if in terms of maneuvering strength Elodie had less ability, her steering feel is excellent, she was more composed than me! »
When we ask the question to those first concerned, such as the navigator
Charlotte Yven ,: “For my part, I think it’s a great idea, I really like sailing double-handed because I find that in mixed doubles we complement each other! It's also great because I think it will open the door to girls who perhaps haven't yet dared too much or haven't had the opportunity to get started, there are plenty of motivated and talented girls who will definitely have their place in this race.
In addition to these players on the circuit, other famous skippers are enthusiastic about this development such as
Alain Gautier for whom “The Olympic sectors promote diversity in races. Organizing the Transat Paprec in mixed doubles is an excellent idea. This initiative will encourage and facilitate access to offshore racing for female sailors. »
or
Armel Le Cléac'h : “This new mixed doubles format is consistent with what is done on other circuits. This will be the first offshore race in this form and that is very good news. It's a great race that I was lucky enough to win twice, a beautiful transatlantic race which can also constitute a first experience for sailors who will learn from contact with more experienced ones, it's very good if it also benefits the women. »
St-Barthélemy, an exemplary island of the circular economy
“The arrival in Saint-Barthélémy is an important symbol for the Paprec group. The French island is indeed exemplary in the management of its waste. For two decades, its managers have focused on high technology with a factory transforming local waste into energy allowing the operation of the seawater desalination plant – and therefore providing residents with fresh water and electricity from of 2023. Waste management contributes to the island's energy autonomy and perfectly illustrates the principle of the circular economy. The plant which has just inaugurated its extension is managed by Paprec Energies,” underlines Sébastien Petithuguenin, Managing Director of Paprec .
They said :
Sébastien Petithuguenin, Managing Director of Paprec : “The Figaro circuit reflects French excellence. It combines the advantages of demanding training, open to everyone at the start of their career and at the same time guarantees an attractive competition for experienced sailors – and sailing fans. The Solitaire du Figaro is the necessary step to access the very big races, to become known to sponsors, for men and especially for women sailors. The Transat Paprec in mixed doubles will also offer them this possibility.”
Joseph Bizard, general manager of OC Sport Pen Duick : “The arrival of Paprec, a loyal partner of French sports sailing, on the two major events of the Figaro Bénéteau circuit is excellent news and a very strong marker.
A partner involved in this sport for many years, who understands all its specificities and workings, it now forms, alongside the major partners of the Solitaire du Figaro and the Transat Paprec, a solid base to continue the development of these legendary events. . A long-term commitment and mutual trust, which we know at OC Sport Pen Duick are so essential to carry a vision, deploy the full means of our ambitions and continue to innovate to make our events grow.
This is how, starting with the 2023 edition of the Transat Paprec and retaining what has made the event strong for 30 years, we have chosen to innovate and make it the first Transat in Mixed Doubles of Ocean Sailing. Born from our discussions with our partners, the Figaro class and the French Sailing Federation, this strong concept will position the event at the center of the challenges of our sport and at the heart of the public's expectations to promote diversity and contribute to democratizing sailing in the world. feminine. We are very happy to write here with Paprec among the most beautiful pages of ocean racing.”
Corinne Migraine, Vice-President of the French Sailing Federation: “The French Sailing Federation is delighted with this partnership. Paprec has been present in sailing for a long time, the regatta is a family affair and there is real legitimacy in seeing Paprec investing in major races like La Solitaire du Figaro and the Transat Paprec. This mixed doubles transatlantic is an initiative that we support and which is in line with the actions of the French Sailing Federation through the detection of female talents in offshore racing. It is also a real opportunity to offer a major event on the international scene which today tends to be organized around mixed doubles. »
Jean-Bernard Leboucher, Figaro Beneteau Class: “It is a great satisfaction for the Figaro Bénéteau Class to see a common partner arrive for two major events on the circuit. Paprec's long-term commitment is the right strategy to build a winning project with the sailors in the series. The choice of mixed doubles for the Transat is a great idea which will give a new dimension to this historic event. The Class will be present alongside Paprec and OC Sport Pen Duick to encourage the participation of as many people as possible in this race from 2023, but also to develop the Figaro circuit and in particular La Solitaire du Figaro.
About PAPREC: Paprec, a company committed to the environment The group was founded and has been managed since its creation by Jean-Luc Petithuguenin.
French leader in recycling, Paprec is now No. 3 in France in energy recovery and waste treatment (methanization, composting, management of non-hazardous waste storage facilities). In 25 years, it has grown from 45 to 12,500 employees spread across more than 280 sites in eight countries. The group manages 16 million tonnes and reached 2.2 billion euros in turnover in 2021. Paprec Group has been known and recognized since its creation for its commitment to diversity, secularism and the fight against all forms of discrimination in the company.
Jean-Luc Petithuguenin has also been chosen twice for the Entrepreneur of the Year award, by Ernst and Young and by BFM Business. The Usine Nouvelle editorial team elected him Industrialist of the Year in 2020. More information: www.paprec.com
Comments