At the opening of the Paris Boat Show, the Macif Group announced it will be backing François Gabart for a 4-year programme in the Imoca 60 circuit, which will culminate in the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe.
An amazing success story
François Gabart only really began his career as a skipper back in 2008 and since then his ascension has been remarkable, as two years later he became 2010 French Ocean racing Champion. Taking into account the experienced they have acquired and the success they have achieved since 2008 alongside him, the Macif Group has decided to develop its programme by entering the leading ocean racing class. François Gabart: "For several months I’ve been floating on a cloud. And in the past few weeks that cloud has risen higher and higher. Everything has been happening so fast... I’m so lucky to be setting out on a round the world race with Michel Desjoyeaux. I’m so lucky to be able to sail after that on a 60-foot Imoca boat in the colours of the Macif: I’m just over the moon... "
A project run by Michel Desjoyeaux’s team
Committed to a four year programme, the aim is to take part in the 2012 Vendée Globe but also the 2014 Route du Rhum. It is the team behind the most successful ocean racing skipper, Michel Desjoyeaux, who will be in charge of running this project
