Solidaire du Chocolat: presentation

A transatlantic race exclusively for Class 40

• A recurring event that is the flagship of the Class 40 calendar.
• The only transatlantic race exclusively for Class 40 sailboats, ensuring improved visibility for the entire Class 40 association and the boats involved.
• A double-handed, non-stop transatlantic race over a new course.
• A transatlantic race that shares the Class 40 values of sporting endeavour, solidarity, sharing and friendliness.

«Solidaire du Chocolat will be the first exclusively Class 40 transatlantic race. The concept will demonstrate the sense of sharing that we are developing within our class and amongst our competitors, as well as offering skippers’ partners and sponsors a new space for communication. As we are very aware of life’s difficulties and of those less fortunate than ourselves, it will therefore facilitate exchanges with the populations of the departure and arrival regions. The route will also open up new navigation zones where the sporting side of things will not be forgotten. This fits in well with the spirit of adventure and discovery that races should generate. Welcome to Solidaire du Chocolat! We would also like to show our solidarity with the race organisers in their efforts to create a new benchmark race.»

Why a new “Solidaire du Chocolat” race?

Solidaire du Chocolat is not just another race. It is different, original and meaningful. It creates a buzz. Damien Grimont (skipper and Class 40 member as well as organiser and creator of “Record SNSM”) and Yves Gillet (director of the company SCE) had in mind an event that would enable Class 40 boats to come to the fore by means of their own special race. The idea was to create a buzz around a dynamic sailboat class that includes a large numbers of boats but that is not well known among the general public. Overshadowed by 60 footers, 50s and multihulls, Class 40 is not always the star of the show.

With this in mind, and in order to create an identity as a mature class, Class 40 needed a race of its own. This race will make its presence felt because it is different and brings something new to the table – it has different stories to tell. As lovers of events with “meaning”, Damien Grimont and Yves Gillet created an original concept. The project is now off the ground, and the welcome and enthusiasm from skippers and institutional partners bodes well for great adventures to come.

Why this date?

The departure date was initially scheduled for April 2009 but was postponed to 18 October 2009 because autumn transatlantic races are more popular than spring ones, but also because amateur skippers, who make up the majority of the class, are more open to them. It also leaves everyone more time to find sponsors, and gives the organisers more time to finalise agreements with private partners and work on reducing participation costs.

In the long-term, it will run every two years during the same period.