07.07.11
KRYS OCEAN RACE, 2,950 miles from New York to Brest…
Over a hundred years on from the first transatlantic race, which saw victory going to Charlie Barr and his crew in 1905, the New York Yacht Club will, for the first time, open its doors to an event comprising a fleet of oceanic multihulls: the MOD70s.
The 6 teams competing in the KRYS OCEAN RACE will be staying on America’s eastern seaboard from 28 June 2012 through until the scheduled start on 7 July at the foot of Manhattan’s skyscrapers. “We’re in the process of finalising the American festivities, which look promising to say the least! The focus is going to be on sailing so as to increase the prestige of the protagonists involved in the MOD70 circuit amongst the American public and media. A fleet of 70 foot trimarans sailing just a stone’s throw from the Statue of Liberty won’t go unnoticed!” ensures Franck David, Executive Director of MOD S.A.
Though a race start at the foot of the Statue of Liberty is a powerful symbol, the finish will be just as striking. Indeed the six MOD70s will be welcomed into Brittany under the benevolent gaze of a wealth of maritime nations and their ambassadorial vessels, grouped together for Les Tonnerres de Brest 2012, the "Shiver Me Timbers maritime" festival. The docks of Brest’s commercial port and the Penfeld will be transformed into an opulent maritime wonder of the Ancient World, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this international gathering which is intended to be authentic, lively and popular. "To be welcomed into the heart of Les Tonnerres de Brest 2012 will be a terrific moment for our MOD70 fleet. Everything that makes up the ocean nation will be represented as there will be over 2,000 boats from five continents and nearly 15,000 sailors in attendance. So many fairy godmothers around the cradle of our young international MOD70 circuit!" says a delighted Marco Simeoni, President of the MOD SA.
36 adventure storytellers, 6 international boat owners and 1 title partner in the form of KRYS opticians:
To date, just four projects out of the six participating in the KRYS OCEAN RACE have been announced: Race for Water, Veolia Environnement, Foncia and Edmond de Rothschild Group. "The latest two protagonists in the KRYS OCEAN RACE, who will take possession of the MOD70 Nr.05 and MOD70 Nr.06, will present themselves over the coming months and we’re currently finalising their respective press announcements with their input,” continues Marco Simeoni.
Six MOD70s at the start, with six sailors aboard each boat, equates to 36 tales of the sea to be recounted, to the great delight of landlubbers, who track the progress of the KRYS OCEAN RACE.
The KRYS OCEAN RACE will open the round of races in the MOD70 circuit as well as making an indelible mark on the communication of its title sponsor KRYS, which has opted for sports sponsorship for the first time in its existence.
Joël Plat, recently named director of the KRYS brand: "Not only is the KRYS OCEAN RACE launching the MOD70 circuit for the class and the competing teams, but it is also an opportunity for us KRYS opticians, to trial another channel of communication: sponsorship. Indeed, though KRYS has existed for 40 years and we are the major brand in the group of the same name, we’ve never launched into an adventure such as this. Other more recent brands from our group like Vision Plus are more accustomed to such an exercise however, notably in cycling... For the time being, we’re preparing ourselves in-house so as to make best use of the event and the KRYS MATCH before it, from 6 to 8 October 2011 in La Trinité sur Mer, South-West Brittany."
Two meetings not to be missed
- the KRYS MATCH in La Trinité sur Mer on 6,7 and 8 October 2011.
- the KRYS OCEAN RACE uniting New York and Brest in a year’s time!
Crews and boat owners competing in the KRYS OCEAN RACE 2012:
• MOD70 Nr.01 “Race for Water”:
Launch on 21 March 2011 – skipper Stève Ravussin (SUI)
• MOD70 Nr.02 “Veolia Environnement”:
Launch on 14 June 2011 – skipper Roland Jourdain (FRA)
• MOD70 Nr.03 “Foncia”:
Scheduled launch on 18 August 2011- skipper Michel Desjoyeaux (FRA)
• MOD70 Nr.04 “Edmond de Rothschild Group”:
Scheduled launch on 25 October 2011 – skipper Sébastien Josse (FRA)
• MOD70 Nr.05: Next announcement
Scheduled launch on 12 January 2012 (International)
• MOD70 Nr.06: Next announcement
Scheduled launch on 10 April 2012 – (International)
KRYS OCEAN RACE in brief:
- Start: Saturday 7 July 2012
- 2,950 miles from New York to Brest
- Opening of the race village in the USA: from 29 June to 7 July
- Opening of the race village in Brest: from 13 to 17 July
- 6 MOD70s competing
- 3 French teams, 3 overseas teams
- 36 sailors racing
Useful links:
www.krys-oceanrace.com
www.krys.com
www.nyyc.org
www.lestonnerresdebrest2012.fr
www.multioneattitude.com
