The media benefits to insurance group totalled advertising equivalent to 5

28 Competitors of the 8 th Edition of the transat AG2 R, double transatlantic sailing race, leaving Concarneau Sunday last to reach in a few days Saint Barthelemy (Guadeloupe archipelago) opened the 2006 season which will culminate in November with the famous Route du rhum. "This year, the plateau of this transat short on new boats Figaro Bénéteau II is of quality, since all the major skippers are present," says Pierre Bojic, Director General of Pen Duick, organizing society test, whose budget amounts to EUR 1 million.

"It can say that overall investment with sponsorship amounts to more than 4 million," says Yvon Breton, Secretary General of AG2R Prévoyance, which has invested 690.000 EUR. The town of Concarneau, which allowed for the first time the departure of test (Lorient having forsworn) spent the same amount, while the Chamber of commerce and industry of Quimper Cornouaille mobilized its members. "We wanted give boost to competitors in lack of sponsors an evening presentation of the race to the businesses of Cornouaille." "Some sailors have this opportunity to complete or complete their budget," says Jean-François Garrec, President of the ICC.

"A notion of adventure".

"The day of departure, AG2R mobilized 14 stars for some 3,000 persons, reflecting the craze for sailing", said the organizer of the race. "The media benefits to insurance group totalled advertising equivalent to 5.8 million", said its head. "It is twenty-five years I am sailing, I can tell you that this sport is performing well but there are movements of interest: today the monohulls walk, while the multihull category is in crisis", repeats the pattern of Pen Duick.

According to Bruno Lalande, Director of TNS Sport, 15 of the French were interested in sailing, the fifth the most publicized sport in France. "Beware, this discipline interested in an older than average male public national (46 years), CSP brands who want to communicate must register in this profile", he said adding that advertisers have more desire to "sponsor safer than multihulls, deemed fragile monohulls."

Interest companies is confirmed with the arrival this season of Siemens, Intermarché with Mark Musketeers, Brit Air, La Banque Postale, not to mention Areva, who decided to sponsor the French K Challenge for the America's Cup boat.

"The concept of adventure sport-mediated always attracted firms," said Lucien Boyer, CEO of Havas sports. "We are present in sailing since 2000 and we have just engage us for three additional years to the side of the skipper Jean Le Cam, with, in point of this partnership, a new participation in the Vendée Globe in 2008." "The goal is to increase the visibility of the mark and significantly increase the attendance of our 80 agencies" confirms Jean-Charles Chaigne, Director General VM materials trading.

"Nine years of presence, we store no decrease in the public interest and observe internal support", said Roger Lair, responsible for sponsoring in Groupama. "The image is very positive," which leads us to continue to be present until 2011, with the construction of a new boat, Groupama III, which will attempt to beat records. The group, which invests $ 4 million per year (for two boats) view the media benefits to 3 million in advertising equivalent. "Sailing helps to give a more positive image of the profession of real estate transaction manager that is not always well perceived by the public," added Henry Buzy-Cazaux, Deputy Director General of Foncia, underlining that internally "is very unifying".

Identified values

Marie-Christine Lanne, Director of communications of Generali, explains the presence of the group for thirty-two years in the sport by the fact that "it fits perfectly in the heart of our client target". "The proximity of the values of the veil, that is the commitment, solidarity, confidence, but also the apparent simplicity hides the tech behind, growing companies to sponsor the sport", summarizes Patrick Werner, Associate General Manager of the position.

Side multihulls, finally a reform was initiated at the request of the baron Benjamin de Rothschild, owner of two trimarans, Gitana 11 and Gitana 12. "Renamed 'Multi Cup 60', the new circuit has a format of racing over four years and wish to establish a genuine international dimension", says Gilles Cambournac, President of the Orma (Ocean Racing Multihull Association), organization that will continue to manage sports events, while a company is in the process of creation for the circuit in which the French Sailing Federation should have 20for a budget estimated around 3 million. Six races are listed this season in the program: London - Alpes Maritimes (8 to 17 May), the Trophée Alpes-Maritimes (20-21 May), the Grand Prize of Italy to Trappani in Sicily (June 1-4), the Grand Prix de Marseille (22-25 June), the Grand Prize of the Portugal at Portimao in Algarve (July 3-6) and the Grand Prix de Fécamp (7 to September 10). Four boats will be at the start of the tests (Gitana, Groupama, Banque Populaire, Géant) and a guest at the first race (Sopra). "This new circuit should be of interest to the Anglo-Saxons and next year should be in Germany and Spain tests," said Lucien Boyer. Sponsor the new 'multi cup 60' Championship title should be announced in the coming days.