TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE 2019 EDENRED – EMMANUEL LE ROCH & BASILE BOURGNON
PRESS KIT1 CONTENTS
“Having helped Emmanuel Le Roch make his dream come true EMMANUEL LE ROCH, p. 4 by supporting him on the 2018 Route du Rhum, Edenred is proud A DRIVEN ENTREPRENEUR to be setting out on a new adventure with him, on the Transat Jacques Vabre, and offering Basile Bourgnon, a young sailor with enormous potential, the opportunity to follow in the footsteps BASILE BOURGNON, p. 10 of his father, Laurent Bourgnon, and sail in his first big ocean RACING IN THE BLOOD race. The personality and values of the Edenred Class40 crew perfectly embody the commitment, imagination and entrepreneurial spirit that drive Edenred’s 8,500 p. 16 AN UNLIKELY DUO employees in 46 countries. Emmanuel and Basile can count on the enthusiastic support of our teams, especially since the Transat Jacques Vabre route TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE: links two of the Group’s most iconic markets, p. 24 FRANCE – BRAZIL Brazil and France.”
CLASS40 MONOHULL, p. 30 WHERE FORM MEETS FUNCTION
p. 36 EDENRED CONTINUES THE #TRUEDREAM ADVENTURE
Bertrand Dumazy Chairman and CEO of the Edenred Group
2 3 Emmanuel Le Roch
A driven entrepreneur
Born September 12, 1972 Lives in Plouharnel (Morbihan), France Married, 2 children Manager of Nautic Sport 1st time taking part in the Transat Jacques Vabre
4 5 SAILING CV
1st in the Armen Race 2019 in a Class40
10th in the Normandy Channel Race 2019
“When I was a kid, I didn’t want to be 8th in the Défi Atlantique 2019 a superhero, I just dreamed of becoming a sailor...” Participation in the Route du Rhum 2018 (ended in Madeira)
Emmanuel Le Roch grew up in Lorient, in the French th department of Morbihan. Since childhood, his dreams 17 in the Drheam Cup have been dominated by the sea, adventure and the 2018 on the Edenred Class40 open water. His weekends growing up were peppered with outings on a small family sailboat, and he learned 1st in the Tour de Belle-Île the ropes on an Optimist, on the estuary of the river Ter. At their sides, Emmanuel crewed on 2018 on the Edenred Class40 As a teenager and member of the Carnac Yacht Club, some of the greatest race boats, but Emmanuel sailed a racing catamaran and was crowned above all, he shared in their preparation Part of a double-handed crew in the Champion of France in 1991 and 1993. Then he moved and victories, such as the Route du Transquadra 2017-2018 up to the Tornado class on the Olympic racing circuit in Rhum 1998, won by Laurent Bourgnon. on the First 40.7 France and North America, but did not join the French “I’ve been lucky enough to sail on some team. “My parents were very strict: I had to finish school great boats, like the Primagaz, Foncia, Winner of the and find a job first,” recalls Emmanuel. Bayer, Rexona and Brossard,” says the Spi Ouest-France in Fascinated by multihulls, the young sailor pursued his Edenred skipper. 2012, 2013 and 2014 passion and befriended the Bourgnon brothers, Laurent and Yves, as well as Jean Maurel and Alain Gautier. French catamaran champion in 1991 and 1993 6 7 #TRUEDREAM BY EDENRED
Imagination and entrepreneurial spirit are two key ONE FOOT IN SEA values for the Edenred Group. They are what drove AND ONE ON SHORE the Group in 2018 to start sponsorship in the world of sailing and help Emmanuel Le Roch fulfill his childhood In June 1995, Emmanuel Le Roch created Nautic Sport in dream by participating in his first Route du Rhum. 2019 Carnac (Morbihan), offering nautical activities around light will see a new chapter in the adventure, as Emmanuel sailing. In the early 2000s, the company expanded into takes part in the Transat Jacques Vabre, accompanied motorboats, in Trinité-sur-Mer. Having successfully made a by Basile Bourgnon, a young sailor with enormous living out of his passion, Emmanuel potential. The “True Dream” project has given Basile “I’m happy because I get out onto now heads up a company of ten everything he needs to complete his first ocean race the sea every day. My team and I employees – which can swell to as at just 17. It’s a unique opportunity, and one that have a relaxed, family-like working many as 25 in the summer. Nautic demonstrates the virtuous process of co-construction relationship because, to be fulfilled, Sport today combines a range of that underpins all of Edenred’s partnerships. I have a visceral need to have fun boating businesses, including rental and share my experiences. I’m and sale of boats, organization of lucky enough to be able to give my seminars and nautical rallies, and customers a breath of fresh air, a catamaran races, as well as boat change of scenery, storage and maintenance services. In just 20 years, Emmanuel Le Roch has to let them live a dream.” established a sustainable company and formed a loyal team of employees, allowing him to fulfill his dream by participating in the Route du Rhum in 2018, then continuing the adventure throughout the 2019 season, with his sights firmly set on the iconic Transat Jacques Vabre.
8 9 Basile Bourgnon
Racing in the blood
Born May 3, 2002 Lives in Saint-Philibert (Morbihan), France Single Graduated from high school in July 2019 1st time taking part in the Transat Jacques Vabre
10 11 “Traveling taught me everything I know.”
At 17, Basile Bourgnon is the spitting image of his father, Basile then discovered New Zealand, in Tauranga, Laurent Bourgnon, the renowned sailor who tragically on North Island. For a year, he attended a local went missing in 2015. In 2008, at the age of 6, the young school, and despite not speaking a word of Basile and his family boarded a power English, he quickly embraced the open and catamaran to sail around the world, an sporting spirit the Kiwis pride themselves on. Basile unforgettable experience. After a year- returned to France in 2015 to go to high school long journey, the Bourgnon family fell in in Agon-Coutainville on the Channel. “That was love with the small island of Raiatea in a real shock to the system, both academically French Polynesia, where they settled for and as far as the weather goes,” admits the five years. young sailor. “But adapting was our daily life for “That trip taught me everything I know,” six years!” says Basile, who became resourceful by necessity. “Dad gave me responsibilities right away. At the age of 6, I was already SAILING: A PASSION, in charge of keeping watch on the boat. NOT AN OBLIGATION! I remember being alone at the helm avoiding passing cargo ships, doing Raised on the water, Basile naturally turned to sailing as he mechanics at 10 and taking customers traveled. Passionate about sports in general, he also tried his out wakeboarding and diving at 11!” hand at rugby, handball, surfing and tennis. “Sailing was never an obligation in the family. Whatever sport I wanted to play, my parents always encouraged me but never forced me!” He learned the ropes on a Hobie Cat 16 in the Southern Hemisphere, and first experienced the thrill of boat racing in an O’pen BIC in New Zealand.
12 13 “Taking part in the Transat Jacques Vabre on the Edenred Class40 is a dream come true, and the start of a great adventure for me. Edenred and Emmanuel are giving me an incredible experience.”
“Dad gave us a boat for Christmas, and my brother and I used to sail it for fun.” But Basile decided to enter a race and clinched his first victory! SAILING “Winning was an incredible feeling: I was immediately hooked!” Basile forged his competitive spirit all on his CV own. “We lived in the present moment with my Dad, not in the memory of his exploits. I think he got up to so much trouble that he never dared to tell me about his races and his wins,” says Basile. 1st in the Armen Race 2019 in a Class40
8th in the Défi Atlantique MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF 2019
After returning to France, Basile became a serious competitor at the Agon-Coutainville club in an SSL 16 Tour de France à la Voile catamaran, before moving up to an Open 5.70 in 2018 in a Diam 24 La Trinité-sur-Mer, where he notched up several titles as French champion. Very tall for his age, Basile was forced to change his Basile will only be 17 when the starting gun is fired for the Transat Jacques boat, moving into the big league at just 15, as lone skipper on 2016 and 2017 French champion Vabre on October 27, 2019. He received a Diam 24 for the Tour de France à la Voile in 2018. “Managing in an Open 5.70 partners, a crew, communications and all the event logistics special dispensation from the race was an incredible experience.” With maturity belying his years, management team after taking part Basile is set to make his debut in an ocean race in the Transat in other racing events, including the second stage of the Défi Atlantique Multihull Trophy Jacques Vabre. But he is not feeling any pressure, instead seeing 2016 in a Multi50 the event as a learning experience. “Being a Bourgnon is no with Emmanuel Le Roch – 1,300 miles guarantee of success! I’m starting from scratch, and I have to between Horta in the Azores and make a name for myself. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really proud La Rochelle. That makes him the th Polynesian champion from of my name. But now it’s up to me to show everyone what I’m youngest participant in this 14 year of 2013 to 2015 in a Hobie Cat 16 capable of.” the race.
14 15 AN UNLIKELY DUO
Emmanuel, 47 Basile, 17
16 17 Emmanuel, how did you imagine your future when you were 17? I wanted to live and work with boats or on boats, so I’ve been successful on that score. I also 47thought I’d stop working early, but I’ve failed there!
WISDOM & ENTHUSIASM COMBINED ON THE EDENRED CLASS40
The two sailors share a passion for multihulls Knowing smiles, shared determination and and the need to live life to the full. mutual respect: despite the 30 years that While Emmanuel splits his time between separate them, just a few minutes spent in the training sessions, Class40 circuit tests company of these two sailors is enough to see 1 and his role as a business7 owner, Basile the strong bond they have. While nothing was Basile, how do you see your life this year managed to combine sailing certain, the choice of Basile Bourgnon as at 47? with Emmanuel and studying for his co-skipper was obvious to Emmanuel when baccalaureate, which he passed in July. I don’t know what life has in store Edenred decided to continue the #TrueDream Both rookies on the Transat Jacques Vabre, for me, but I definitely imagine a adventure on the Transat Jacques Vabre. the two sailors will see their dream come future around sailing. “I knew Laurent well. We were inseparable back in the true and together write a new chapter I need excitement, adrenaline – 90s. Not only was he afraid of nothing, he was good at in their lives, following in the footsteps of I couldn’t handle a desk job. I get everything! He was inspiring: he was the one who convinced father and friend Laurent Bourgnon, who restless quickly... I really admire me to pursue my dream, and I’m still very close to his family.” won the race in 1997. what Emmanuel has achieved. After talking to Edenred, I asked Caroline, Basile’s mom, He’s managed to live the way he who was deeply moved. As for Basile, he jumped at the wanted and make his dreams a chance!” says the Edenred skipper. reality. Even at 47, that takes guts.
18 19 ONBOARD WITH THE EDENRED CREW
What would you say are each other’s qualities? Race, I borrowed Emmanuel’s phone; it had so many different styles of music, Emmanuel: Basile is tough, a perfectionist and which is great! While he was sleeping, never gives up. I used to dance by myself at the back of the boat – you just feel so free. Basile: Emmanuel is kind, competitive and always positive. Who’s the hardest to wake up at sea? What makes you such a good team despite your age difference? Basile: Emmanuel, no question! On the Défi Atlantique, I even thought he was Basile: Our sense of humor! dead once! Sometimes, it took several minutes to wake him up. Emmanuel: We see things in the same way on the water, we never give up and, whatever the Emmanuel: We both sleep deeply when stakes, we can’t cope with a poorly rigged boat! the other’s at the helm.
What’s the fondest memory you share? What are you going to say to each other at Basile: The atmosphere onboard in the Armen the starting line? Race was ecstatic! Emmanuel: Let’s do our best, but be Emmanuel: Sharing our first win in the Armen Race. reasonable. Safety is absolutely vital, there’s We put our heart and soul into it, and it paid off. It’s no plan B on the water! symbolic, but very satisfying! Basile: Before the line, it’ll be “let’s go, let’s What’s your favorite meal at sea? make a good start,” then once we’ve done that, it’ll be “enjoy”. Basile: Tuna pasta and eggs.
Emmanuel: Pasta with smoked ham. I should What do you like best: tea or coffee? add that we’re both really bad cooks! And I Emmanuel: Coffee – which is a good never set sail without a jar of a certain very sign when you’re on the Transat famous chocolate spread… Jacques Vabre.
Basile: Coffee too, it’s the only What sort of music will you take way to start the day! with you on the race? Basile: Again, we’re on the same wavelength. We’re into everything, just so long as it’s varied! During the Armen 20 21 MEMORIES, MEMORIES...
1ST TIME 1ST MEMORY 1ST DREAM 1ST TIME SAILING 1ST MEMORABLE 1ST TIME SAILING ON A BOAT OF RACING OF OCEAN RACING TOGETHER VOYAGE BY NIGHT
Basile: Knowing my parents, Emmanuel: In a dinghy Emmanuel: I remember being Basile: On the Défi Atlantique Emmanuel: Thailand. It Emmanuel: Between Lorient I was probably only a few at Larmor-Plage, I felt the at the finish line of the in April. When we realized was my first trip without my and Belle-Île with friends of my weeks old when I first got immediate rush of adrenaline Lorient-Bermuda-Lorient at the last minute that the parents, and the first time I’d parents. Things feel different on a boat, but my first that comes with the start of double-handed transatlantic second stage was during the discovered a culture other at night, and I loved it. real memory is being with a race. race. I went to see the winners school holidays, I jumped on than my own. my father bringing the arrive with my parents. At the a plane to the Azores and we Basile: On the Défi Atlantique, catamaran from Poland to Basile: In an O’pen BIC in last minute, the Riguidel- set off a few hours later. Basile: The stop in Salvador I loved being responsible for Normandy before we sailed New Zealand. I only did it for Gahinet duo beat Tabarly- It was unreal! da Bahia in Brazil when we the boat and my teammates. around the world. I was 6. fun, but I ended up winning. Pajot. It was in 1979, I was 7, sailed around the world. It’s It’s really rewarding to be in It was an amazing feeling. My and I spent hours daydreaming Emmanuel: Basile joined us in a colorful city, full of life and, total control, relying only on Emmanuel: On an Optimist parents, my friends, everyone in front of their boats. the Azores, and I immediately since I was a kid, I remember yourself. on the estuary of the river was surprised and really realized he was a natural, the sea lions that climbed on Ter in Lorient. happy for me. It’s a really Basile: All ocean races are and that we worked well as a the boat as we sailed in. And fond memory! a dream for me. Last year, duo. I couldn’t have hoped Patagonia, where we were I started going out on the for more! alone in the world, sailing in ocean on a Mini 6.50 for small channels in between the Mini Transat, which is an mountains of ice. excellent way to start. As luck would have it, I’m going to be able to get in a bit more practice on the Transat 22 Jacques Vabre! 23 LE HAVRE
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TRANSAT BRAZIL JACQUES VABRE: FRANCE – BRAZIL SALVADOR DA RACE DETAILS Departure: Le Havre, France on October 27, 2019 BAHIA Theoretical distance: 4,350 miles (8,056 km) Race time: between 16 and 24 days on a Class40 Finish: Salvador da Bahia, Brazil
24 25 UTE E RO FFE CO MA AZIL FO E EM NU BR R B TH R E A FO L S I IL L Z E
A R FREQUENCY CREW VESSEL ROUTE B Paradise, soccer & Transat Sun, Jacques EVERY 2 YEARS DUO CLASS40, MULTI50, LE HAVRE (FRANCE) fun & IMOCA SALVADOR DA BAHIA (BRAZIL) Vabre sports!
Since its creation in 1993, the Transat Jacques Vabre has enduringly inspired sailors. Now a key date in the race calendar, the event commonly known as “The Coffee Route” is a source of exciting tales like no other. INTO THE UNKNOWN From Le Havre, the iconic double-handed transatlantic race has successively taken sailors to Colombia, Brazil and Costa Rica before returning to Brazil in 2013. The 14th Transat Jacques This may be Basile’s first time taking part in the Transat Vabre will start on October 27 and will take some fifty duos Jacques Vabre, but he has read countless stories about on a demanding route: a transatlantic crossing of more than the event, and in 2015 closely followed his friend Tom 8,000 kilometers from north to south. Laperche, then aged 20, when he sailed in the race. “We used to email each other regularly, so it’s like I shared what he was going through in real time, during the good times and the bad. Today, that’s helped me prepare myself mentally,” says Basile.
A RACE CLOSE TO BASILE BOURGNON’S GOALS: EDENRED’S HEART PERFORM WELL, HAVE A GOOD TIME The event has special significance for Edenred and its teams, since the route For me, performing well means giving my best. links France and Brazil, the Group’s two largest markets. On the other side That’s our philosophy, even if it means coming in eighth. of the Atlantic, in Brazil, no fewer than We’re not aiming to win against modern boats and 2,000 Edenred employees are eagerly seasoned crews. But we’re in with a chance with boats awaiting Emmanuel Le Roch and Basile from older generations. At our level, we have to think Bourgnon! strategically and avoid making mistakes. That way, everyone will be proud of us!”
26 27 Ba nd y o THE ROUTE SEEN BY EMMANUEL LE ROCH l a f e B n is n c a “In the autumnal lows, it’s cold, it’s wet
a y
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C and it’s tough!
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h I’ve warned Basile. After having
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experienced five successive lows in the d n E
2018 Route du Rhum, I’m confident. I experienced the worst on my own!”
res High “This is a strategic stretch; the goal will zo A be to edge around the Azores High e h and catch the trade winds as quickly T as possible. It’s also synonymous with warmth and catching long waves over the Atlantic – it’s the fun part of the race.”
“It’s harder to plan for this infamous intertropical convergence zone. We know oldrums D e that we can go from 0 to 40 knots in the h T squalls, and that we need to be rested and clear-headed! Our boat is fast when there’s no wind, so we could have a CLASS40 strong card to play then! Basile and I spent three days becalmed in the Armen RECORD Race, but ended up winning. We know Year: 2017 how to be patient.” Skippers: Maxime Sorel and Antoine Carpentier Boat: V and B
17 10 44 15 “Then we catch the southeast trade winds, which make uth Atlan o tic the sailing easier! At the very end of the race, along the S DAYS e Brazilian coast, there can be areas of transition; we’ll HOURS MINUTES SECONDS h T have to take a more strategic approach. We’ll need to be wary of the fatigue accumulated after more than 15 days of racing.”
28 29 CLASS40 MONOHULL, WHERE FORM MEETS FUNCTION
The Class40 monohull category, which dates back to 2005, has successfully risen to the challenge of offering a high-performance, robust and accessible boat that allows professional sailors and experienced amateurs alike to fulfill their dream of sailing on the open water.
Today, there are 155 boats in the class, some 20 of which will be at the starting line of the Transat Jacques Vabre, including the Edenred, number 100.
30 31 Emmanuel Le Roch has completed Name: Edenred more than 15,000 miles aboard his Model: Pogo 40 S2 Class40 since June 2018 and the Architect: Groupe Finot beginning of the #TrueDream project Shipyard: Structures in Bénodet with Edenred. While the skipper was Year launched: 2010 forced to abandon after 17 days of Owner: Emmanuel Le Roch racing in the Route du Rhum, he made Previous skippers: Damien Grimont, a point of sailing from Madeira to Armel Tripon and Marek Chatrný Guadeloupe this winter for the start of the Défi Atlantique. The Edenred boat was designed by Jean-Baptiste Epron. Air draft 19 m
Upwind sail area 200 m2
Downwind sail area 275 m2
Weight 4,500 kg
Length 12.19 m
Width 4.5 m
Draft 3 m
“Last year, we weren’t prepared for the heavy weather. That said, I never felt I was in danger, even when dealing with the damage, and I was never afraid despite the strength of the wind and the intensity of the waves in the Route du Rhum. Today, I’m calm and confident. I know the limits of the boat and, of course, those of the sailor.”
32 33 NEW FOR THE TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE!
New gear Longer rudders
For the Transat Jacques Vabre, the To further optimize performance, the Class40 has been given a full set of Edenred Class40 is now equipped with new sails. Competitors can load eight two longer rudders that improve the sails on this event. The Edenred will be speed and control of the boat in the taking a mainsail, a genoa, a staysail downwind breeze. (breeze jib), two codes (more billowing sails), two spinnakers and a storm jib (small 15-square-meter sail).
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34 35 EDENRED CONTINUES THE #TRUEDREAM ADVENTURE
36 37 ABOUT EDENRED
With operations in 46 countries, Edenred is the global Edenred is committed to making the working world leader in payment solutions for the working world, a better place for everyone. With this in mind, the specializing in employee benefits, fleet and mobility Group defined the fundamental principles of its solutions and corporate payment. corporate social responsibility policy as: The Group draws on the analysis of emerging trends, the power of digital technology and its expertise in innovation to continually enrich its offering throughout the world. With iconic programs including Ticket Restaurant, UTA and improving quality of life Kadéos, Edenred’s solutions mean increased purchasing power for employees, optimized expense management for companies and additional business for partner merchants. They create a virtuous circle of value creation embodied preserving the environment by the signature, “We connect, You win”.
creating value responsibly
Edenred in figures
As of Dec. 31, 2018 46 countries 8,500 2.5 billion More than 830,000 47 million 1.7 million employees transactions €28 billion corporate employee partner managed in business volume clients users merchants
38 39 Sport dans la Ville: “Opening up new possibilities”
This year, Edenred has teamed up with non-profit organization Sport dans la Ville to introduce sailing to young people in the Paris region who would not otherwise have the opportunity. In late April, Emmanuel shared a day with some 20 youngsters from Sarcelles to discuss his job and his passion, and to give MEETING CHILDREN them a taste of sailing in the Cergy ponds. This was a first for AT THE SALVADOR DA the children, who in July had the opportunity to spend three days in La Trinité-sur-Mer, where they discovered a universe BAHIA YACHT CLUB often far removed from their daily lives. The program included A group of young people at the Salvador meetings with local business representatives, a visit to an da Bahia Yacht Club will be eagerly oyster farm, an oyster tasting and a great day of sailing on the awaiting Emmanuel Le Roch and Basile Edenred Class40 in La Trinité-sur-Mer, topped off by a picnic in Bourgnon when they arrive in Brazil. Houat, one of the most beautiful islands in Morbihan. It was a Together, they will share a day on the seaside outing they’ll remember for years to come! Edenred Class40 in the Bay of All Saints. Our duo will give them an exclusive recap 40 of their epic Atlantic crossing. 41 8,500 EDENRED SUPPORTERS CHEERING ON THE RACE
The partnership with Edenred will take Emmanuel Le Roch’s adventure to the four corners of the globe. Since 2018, the Edenred Class40 has forged new bonds among all Group entities in the 46 countries in which Edenred operates, from Brazil to Singapore via Mexico and Italy. Since Edenred began sponsoring sailing, its 8,500 employees have become big fans of the project. Many have come to meet Emmanuel, follow him and actively support him on social media.
42 43 FOLLOW THE #TRUEDREAM ADVENTURE WITH EMMANUEL & BASILE
@EmmanuelLeRochEdenred @basilebourgnon
@EmmanuelLeRoch @basilebourgnon @emmanuel_le_roch
FIND ALL THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT THE CREW AT: truedream.edenred.com
EDENRED CLASS40 MEDIA RELATIONS: EDENRED MEDIA RELATIONS:
Léa Launay Anne-Sophie Sergent +33 (0)6 77 13 19 80 +33 (0)1 74 31 86 27 [email protected] [email protected]
Matthieu Santalucia +33 (0)1 74 31 87 42 [email protected]
Edenred helps protect the environment by printing on PEFC-certified paper. Photo credits: Jean-Marie Liot, Bourgnon family, Fabien Bernardi, Olivier Blanchet, Getty Images. 44