The Transat, the world’s oldest professional solo sailing race, which will set sail from Brest in France to Charleston in the USA on May 10th 2020, has a new title sponsor in CIC, a major player in the French banking sector.
The race, which is owned and organised by OC Sport Pen Duick, the French subsidiary of international event organiser OC Sport, now officially becomes “The Transat CIC”.
The 2020 edition of The Transat CIC will welcome skippers in four classes – Ultimes, IMOCA 60s, Multi50s and Class40s – to take on one of the great challenges in professional sailing. They face a gruelling 3,500-mile course and are likely to encounter storm force headwinds, rough seas and freezing fog.
Founded in 1859, CIC is a leading bank in France and abroad, and one of the largest banks in France, with a network of nearly 2,000 branches. It also has a strong international network and is present in 34 countries.
"To be associated with such a legendary race, to contribute to its promotion and to its success naturally falls within the entrepreneurial spirit of the CIC," commented Nicolas Théry, CIC President.“Today, sailing brings together and touches a great number of people. Thanks to digital and new technological means, everyone can live the competition as they wish, alongside the greatest navigators of the moment.”
Daniel Baal, Director General of CIC continued: "We welcome this partnership that unites the oldest French deposit bank with the oldest solo transatlantic race. By giving our name to this legendary event, CIC confirms the importance of sport to us, and in particular the nautical sector."
Hervé Favre, OC Sport CEO said: “Today we are proud to join together with CIC for what is shaping up to be an excellent 60th anniversary edition of this legendary event.
The Transat offers a very attractive commercial prospect, and this new partnership with CIC is an important milestone for the race. Without the sponsors involved, offshore races could not offer the followers such an engaging platform, and we look forward to working together to take The Transat CIC to the next level in terms of delivery and having them onboard for the next edition of this exciting race,” Favre added.
The race is expected to attract many of the world’s top ranked solo skippers and a diverse field of boats, including the latest generation IMOCAs, with the race serving as an early test for many of the entrants in the 2020 Vendée Globe solo round the world race.
The current monohull record is 12 days, 11 hours and 45 minutes set by Loïck Peyron racing Gitana in 2008. The multihull record is 8 days, 8 hours and 29 minutes set by Michel Desjoyeaux on board Geant in 2004.
Entries will officially open within the next two weeks with the release of the full Notice of Race. The Pre-Notice of Race is available now. Visit the website for more information.
