VENDEE GLOBE AND ZODIAC : SHARING THE GLORY OF A LEGENDARY RACE
Who but a legendary brand could act as a major partner in this winter’s premier sporting event? Now ZODIAC, the benchmark brand of the inflatable boat, joins forces with Vendée Globe 2008-2009. To ensure that the event is a success, Zodiac has become the Official Supplier of semi-rigid boats to this most prestigious solo sailing race around the world, non-stop and unassisted.
THE SOLO RACE POSING EVERY CHALLENGE.
Sailor Philippe Jeantot conceived the idea 20 years ago. The Vendée Globe, Everest of the Oceans, is the race in which modern legends are made. The schedule includes more than 80 days at sea, from the doldrums to the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn. The solitude is near-total. No event in the history of long-distance racing has ever scaled such heights of sport and technology, nor had such an international impact. With Michel Desjoyaux, Vincent Riou, Roland Jourdain, Mike Golding and Loïc Peyron, 2008 will be the edition to beat all superlatives.
VENDEE GLOBE AND ZODIAC : PARTNERS IN EXCELLENCE.
Recognized for its technological edge and unique expertise, this year Zodiac is a presence at the heart of the race. In fact the company is creating a limited series of 60 vessels just for this legendary event. Each will be perfectly equipped and specially prepared to meet the organizer's needs. Given the many uncertainties, it is essential to be able to rely on the most refined equipment, of proven reliability.
Numbered from 1 to 60, the selected boats are Zodiac Pro Open 650s, type “Vendée Globe” with Yamaha F150 AETX-EFI motor, hydraulic steering, fixed 120-litre tank, immobile floats and self-bailing cockpit. They are boast full seagoing safety equipment with five self-inflating Zodiac® Cruiser 150 lifejackets. These 60 boats will sell at the bargain price of € 33 300 tax-inclusive and can be viewed at the Vendée Globe Village from 18 October to 9 November 2008.
ZODIAC : ONE OF ROLAND JOURDAIN'S CREW.
That is not all. This year Zodiac has also teamed up with Roland Jourdain, who is taking on this Everest of the Oceans with his 60-foot single-hull Véolia Environnement. “I picked Zodiac because it has stood for ambition and performance for more than 70 years. This is a partner fit for the fame of the Vendée Globe. Its sophisticated technology means it can give me every opportunity of winning the race. Zodiac has always led marine sport forward since its inception. It is no coincidence that it is official partner of the race this year, supplying 60 inflatable boats to the organizers ” explains Roland Jourdain, Veolia Environnement’s skipper.