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Oceans of solidarity in Nantes

09/10/09

They're coming, they're coming. Little by little the boats for the Solidaire du Chocolat are taking up their berths on the Anne de Bretagne platform in the heart of Nantes, now flying the colours of the first ever offshore race of its kind. Twenty-four 40 foot monohulls and forty-eight sailors are expected, and, as normal, will be accommodated at the Solidaire Village, tomorrow (Friday), from 17:00. The large family for this transatlantic race to Yucatán has grown in the last few days with the registration in extremis of the very symbolic French-Mexican crew, composed of Patrice Carpentier and Victor Maldonado. These two yachtsmens will bring the number of sailors representing 10 nationalities to 48 at the start of the race. It will get under way on 18 October at 1700, off the coast of St. Nazaire.

The Solidaire du Chocolat is richly symbolic. This is demonstrated by the last-minute registration of a French Mexican crew made up by Patrice Carpentier and Victor Maldonado. They are the most symbolic duo to take part in this first transoceanic race, the longest ever competed in (5,000 miles, 9,260 km) to Progreso on the the Gulf of Mexico. Supported by a last-minute charitable gesture from the Crédit Maritime bank, they will be flying the colours of the SNSM Lifeboat Association, for which solidarity between seafaring men has never been an empty word, as well as seven Mexican associations, whose projects will be financed by the general public during the events organised at the two large villages in Nantes and St. Nazaire.

Before the race, a Great Solidarity Parade

Before things get serious for all the duos in the ranks on a sporting and maritime level, there will be a Great Solidarity Parade. From 10 o'clock, Sunday 11 October, the 24 monohulls will be escorted by the Belem, the famous three-masted vessel chartered from 1896 by Baron Meunier for the transport of cocoa beans between Latin America and France. On board, the crew composed of the skipper and his partner, representatives of the Association and their sponsors participating in this great demonstration of solidarity and sporting adventure, and school pupils of Loire-Atlantique, will enjoy a festive and unforgettable event to its full. Don't miss it!

Moving film

Within the framework of its sponsorship of the Les Toiles Enchantées Association, the Picoty group - competing with Jacques Fournier and Jean-Edouard Criquioche - will be responsible for financing films for a year, in hospitals in the west of France,. Tomorrow at 14:00, the Les Toiles Enchantées Association will show a film to children in hospital, as if they were there. What will be showing? Le Petit Nicolas.

What they have said

 

Victor Maldonado, skipper of Crédit Maritime: To cross the Atlantic Ocean and return to my country is a dream come true. I am very proud to be the ambassador for Mexico in this race which is a wonderful idea and I hope it will create a precedent for other sporting events. I sail a lot, but I'm not a professional in offshore racing. For me, a transatlantic race like this represents a real sporting challenge. I am very happy to compete with Patrice Carpentier who competed in the first Whitbread in 1973-74, won by Sayula, a Mexican boat!

Yves Ecarlat, skipper of Vale Inco-Nouvelle Calédonie: I really enjoy the different atmospheres before the start. We know that we have got people dreaming and this puts us in a good mood. It's a bit like getting a break from all your worries by getting away a little. As the start approaches, we slowly get into the swing of the race. We realise from the way people look at us and the emotion in their eyes that we will be gone for a long time.

Yvan Noblet, skipper of Appart’City: With 24 boats, this event has brought together the finest and greatest Class 40 line-up this year. Competition will be very tough on this route to Mexico, but today our duo is on top form! The course of this race will be very long and from a competitive point of view very interesting. We won't need to negotiate the monstrous Doldrums. The difficulty will lie in the choice of route: the northern route, close to the direct route, or a southern option, close to the trade winds; comfortable but longer. As for the second section, in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, it will probably reveal itself to be fascinating and full of surprises.

CALENDAR A few meetings not to be missed in Nantes:

Thursday 8 October:

 

Private viewing of the Chocolat Chocolat exhibition by Lulu Fine Art at 18:30 at the Maison de l’Avocat exhibition from 9 to 18 October.

Friday 9 October:

17:00h > 19:00: Musical welcome of the Class 40 fleet

Saturday 10 October:

From 11:00 > gourmet demonstrations by 9 well-known chefs of the region*

History of chocolate fashion show

Art entertainment live with participation of the general public*

18:30 – 19:30 > the official start of the Solidaire du Chocolat in the presence of the skippers, associations, etc.

20:30 > projection of the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on giant screens.

From 22:00 to 02:00: Mouv’Party at Machines de l’Ile, Bd. Léon Bureau [DJ Zebra, La Caution, Beat Assailant, Iwasthere + un live secret, etc]

Sunday 11 October 09

08:30: chocolate breakfast

10:00: Start of the Solidaire Nantes > St. Nazaire parade: with the Class 40 fleet accompanied by the Belem.

* Profits from these events will be in aid of the seven Mexican associations, which will be supporting ecotourism and sustainable development projects, respecting the identity, culture and tradition of the Mayan people.

Opening of the Grand Choc village in St. Nazaire on Wednesday 14 October > Sunday 18 October sdg


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