By renewing its partnership with François Gabart, the Macif group confirms its involvement in sailing. The current programme is due to end in 2020. Another 2 years during which the Ultim Macif trimaran will take part in races, including the round-the-world race of the Ultim 32/23 class starting from Brest at the end of 2019.
Jean-Bernard Le Boucher, Director of Marine Activities at Macif, explains the timing of this announcement: "It's a question of anticipating the sequence of programmes. With this announcement two years before the end of the programme, we are fully in line with our operating mode. It's a reflection of the group's thinking, beyond the simple sponsorship of sailing"
Since 2010, Macif has been involved with François Gabart with great success (Vendée Globe and single-handed round the world record for the leading boats). Precisely, didn't this success and in particular Gabart's round the world exploit accelerate this decision? "The fallout from the record with its positive balance sheet are certainly elements that weighed in the balance, but we analysed the overall balance of our involvement in sailing in order to make this new decision"
In the process of extending this partnership, Macif is also announcing the construction of a new trimaran in the Ultim 32/23 class. "The construction of a trimaran is planned about 2 years in advance. In order to have it available in 2020, we had to start the manufacturing process today. We didn't want to hide the tender phases for the architect, the yard and the equipment. We prefer to work openly and transparently with serenity when choosing our partners."
Nothing has yet been decided for this future trimaran for which the whole team is starting from a blank sheet of paper so as not to close off any choices.
