It was PRB's willingness to continue on a 2020 Vendée Globe project, but not that of its skipper Vincent Riou and Sébastien Col who will play the technical directors for Sébastien Simon (Arkéa Paprec) on the next edition. It was therefore necessary to find a replacement to take over the helm of the recently equipped IMOCA, which finished 4th in the 2018 Route du Rhum.
It is therefore in harmony that Vincent Riou and Jean-Jacques Laurent, President of PRB, have chosen the successor of the PRB skipper. And Kevin Escoffier's name is" appeared very quickly as a matter of course." The skipper from Saint-Malo, who until then had been in charge of the Banque Populaire Team's design department, has won a Jules Verne Trophy and has two Volvo Ocean Races to his credit, including one victory in the last edition with Dongfeng Race Team
He was already a member of the PRB Team when Vincent Riou's Farr plan for the 2006 Vendée Globe was being built. He will now take over the helm of the VPLP/Verdier plan launched in 2010 for his first Vendée Globe.
For Jean-Jacques Laurent, PRB's story in the Vendée Globe is therefore continuing in the most beautiful way. "Vincent makes a thoughtful choice. It's his choice, it's his life. The Vendée Globe requires a commitment from the skipper at all times. It is understandable that after 14 years in IMOCA, there is wear and tear. We gave Vincent the choice, he made his decision in complete serenity and we fully respect his decision. He has contributed a lot to the company, including a magnificent victory!
Kevin is a great sailor with an extreme interest in technology. I had seen him work on the Farr plan. In three days, it was settled with him. It was very simple. We like this notion of continuity for him who had already been part of the PRB team. We love his engineering dimension as much as his seafaring skills. We especially appreciate the simple, authentic, hardworking, intelligent and funny man" explains the President of PRB, happy to be back for an 8th Vendée Globe!
A unique longevity in sports sponsorship (27 years) for a company already crowned with two magnificent victories in 2000/01 with Michel Desjoyeaux and 2004/05 with Vincent Riou.
"PRB made me a proposal that I couldn't refuse, especially since I have already belonged to this team in the past. Taking over this project with a sponsor who has marked the history of French ocean racing is an honour and a great opportunity. It was a very quick decision that was made very naturally. It is a project that corresponds exactly to what I want to do today.
After 10 years with the Banque Populaire team, I am now embarking on a more individual project. The time spent in this team has been marked by fantastic boats, records and victories. But these years have also allowed me to create friendships with passionate and competent people. I leave this team with sadness, but also with pride in what we have accomplished
I join PRB to continue to sail their boat in the most beautiful races. We're going to have to go sailing, work, discover the boat. The two-year program will be dense. The support of Vincent, winner of the Vendée Globe, and his team will be a precious asset in view of the objective of the Vendée Globe 2020. My ambition is to prove that alone on a boat, I can do beautiful things." explains Kevin Escoffier.
"In 15 years, there has been a great history of sport, but above all a great history of men with all the people who have invested themselves with me in this project and all the employees and managers of PRB. The Vendée Globe is a magical event that requires a lot of investment and an exclusive passion. I didn't want to do the Vendée Globe too much.
I'm turning the page on sport for the moment with the Vendée Globe, but it's a great satisfaction to know that PRB will be back with Kevin and continue to write its history with this race. It's fabulous, because there are no other partners like that with so much attachment and interest to participate in this épreuve?! The most important thing for me was to make sure that PRB, after me, would return to the Vendée Globe with another skipper. That's the best thing that could have happened. Kevin is able to take up this challenge. I
he is not experienced, but very experienced. He is someone I really appreciate and who really sticks to PRB's values. I have few concerns about his ability to embrace all the sporting issues of the next two years." adds Vincent Riou.
