The Vendée Globe skippers looking for sponsors - September 8, 2011
This is unprecedented in the history of the Vendée Globe, which will start the 7th November 10, 2012 from Les Sables d'Olonne. At 14 months of departure, half of the expected plateau of the skippers in this race around the world solo, nonstop and without assistance, has not found sponsors to support them.
In detail, the organizers of the event have so far received confirmation of the participation of twelve sailors, including Jean-Pierre Dick (Virbac-Paprec), Vincent Riou (PRB), Kito de Pavant (Bel) or Armel Le Cléach yet '(Banque Populaire).However skippers also titled (thirteen in all) that Jeremiah Beyou (last winner of the Solitaire du Figaro), Yann Elies, Jean Le Cam, Raphael Dinelli (four Vendée Globe on the clock) or the revelation of the last Vendée, the British Sam Davies, is currently docked for lack of partners.
"You can imagine without the Vendée Globe sailors who all have unique or promising career," says Denid Horeau, Race Director. Given the urgency of the situation the organizers (SAEM Vendée) and its partners (the food company Sodebo, the General Council of Vendée and the town of Les Sables d'Olonne) organized a demonstration on Thursday that aimed to évémentielles agency relationship, prospects and sports."We hope that this current waiting list quickly becomes a list of registered voters," insists Jean-Pierre Champion, President of the FFV (French Sailing Federation).
No need to budget staggering
Although it is difficult now to convince the business community to mobilize in the sports sponsorship budgets in times of economic crisis and financial uncertainty, the race around the world (known as the Everest of the Seas) intends to assert its assets.
They are obviously many: 1.7 million viewers for the start in Les Sables, or the arrival in the village, some 466 hours of television (which highlight the boats and the names of their sponsors), near 59 million Internet users after the race …."Since our commitment to sailing in 1998, media coverage amounted to more than 82 million euros," says Pascal Cadorel, communications director of the family group Sodebo, which also sponsors Thomas Coville. As for his reputation, it was multiplied by 18 over the same period. Return on investment, media coverage, mobilizing tool in-house employees: Vendée Globe partners have increased their arguments persuasive and have wanted to attract new investors.
"No need to get on the Vendée Globe with staggering budgets. Even small projects can impact winning, "repeated Christopher Chabot, CEO of Akena Verandas, which posted 25 million euros in sales when it is committed to sailing in 2004.Today Arnaud Boissières sponsor, the group is No. 1 manufacturer of conservatories from individuals and has 700 employees. "This is the works council who insisted that we continue the adventure in sailing," said he. That's why he campaigned for SMEs to join the adventure and trying experience of sailing sponsorship.
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