Transat Paprec: The 17th edition officially kicked-off!

The village of the Transat Paprec was inaugurated this Tuesday afternoon, the 15th of April. All of the skippers were present alongside the representatives of the main partners of this edition including Paprec Group, the Brittany Region, the town of Concarneau, the CCI Finistère - Quimper délégation and the Collectivity of Saint-Barthélemy. From now on, 5 days of exchanges, discussions and celebrations. This afternoon, the skipper set the tone by participating in the Alex Picot Challenge ePrologue, won by Jules Ducelier and Sophie Faguet (Région Normandie).

It’s the part of a big adventure. Six days before the 17th edition of the Transat Paprec gets underway, the village opened its doors this Tuesday and was officially inaugurated during the afternoon. The public was able to discover the 19 boats lined up along the port. In the background, a village of more than 1500 m2 with around 30 exhibitor stands. As they wander through the village, the visitors were able to discover the “Marine energy” exposition, presented by the Brittany Region, participate in the water preservation activity, visit the immersive pod of the Paprec-Arkéa IMOCA or take a trip on one of the electric boats in the harbour.

An ePrologue particularly competitive

Everyone was able to cross paths with the skippers in a relaxed atmosphere. The traditional prologue, the Alex Picot Challenge, was transformed into an ePrologue, because of high winds (with gusts in excess of 40 knots). The contenders found themselves early afternoon facing the village scene for two virtual regattas on the gaming platform Virtual Regatta. It was the duo of Jules Ducelier and Sophie Faguet (Région Normandie) who walks away with the victory, in front of Cindy Brin and Thomas André (Cap St Barth), winners of the second leg and Laure Galley and Kévin Bloch (DMG MORI Academy).

At 5pm, the village was officially inaugurated by the organisers of the Transat Paprec, OC Sport Pen Duick, represented by Julie Coutts, General Manager, and the title sponsor Paprec, through the presence of Thibault Petithuguenin, Director of International Communications, Sports Sponsorship and Patronage. They were accompanied by Pierre Pouliquen, vice president of the Brittany Region in charge of youth, equal rights, sport and community life, Marc Bigot, Mayor of Concarneau, Jean-François Garrec, President of the CCI Finistère - Delegation of Quimper and Xavier Lédée, President Territorial Council of Saint-Barthélemy.

Julie Coutts, General Manager of OC Sport Pen Duick pointed out that the inauguration was “a special moment” after “more than 10 months of work to plan the village and its animations”. She added: “We are proud to officially launch the start of this week of festivities ashore”. She would like to pay tribute to “the starting region (the town of Concarneau) and the destination region (Saint-Barthélemy), the Brittany Region aswell as all the private partners, including the Paprec Group who provide a festive and educational experience through their events”

The inauguration was followed by a visit of the pontoons where the skippers could present their boat. The duo of Davy Beeaudart and Julie Simon took the opportunity to confide to Yoann Richomme, who’s also patron of the race, the responsibility of baptising their Figaro, Hellowork. The day continued within the village for a moment of exchanges before finishing in music. The group “Mask ha Gazh, well known by Breton music lovers, takes the stage from 9pm to warm up the audience.