The Edenred Class40 finishes 12th in the Transat Jacques Vabre

“An amazing experience and a victory in itself” for the two skippers Emmanuel Le Roch and Basile Bourgnon, and a moment full of emotion for Edenred’s 10,000 employees.

Emmanuel Le Roch and Basile Bourgnon crossed the finish line of the Transat Jacques Vabre in 12^th place at 13:15:41 CET on Saturday, November 16, 2019, after 20 days of sailing. The Edenred Class40 crew received a morning welcome in Salvador da Bahia from Edenred teams, friends and family. The arrival was synonymous with victory for Emmanuel Le Roch and Basile Bourgnon.

Bertrand Dumazy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Edenred, said: “We are proud of Emmanuel’s and Basile’s achievements in the Transat Jacques Vabre race. They gave it their all, performed well in their category, and stayed strong right up to their amazing finish! For 20 days, Emmanuel and Basile captured the hearts and minds of the Edenred Group’s 10,000 employees. The Transat Jacques Vabre links France and Brazil, two of the Group’s most emblematic markets. The crew’s arrival in Salvador da Bahia was a moment full of emotion for us all. Their determination, daring, and team spirit are a source of inspiration for each and every one of us.”

A few words from the Edenred skippers on the highlights of the Transat Jacques Vabre:

Emmanuel Le Roch, skipper of the Edenred Class40: “It’s a great feeling to have sailed the Coffee Route! Before we set off, we said we’d be happy at the end of the race if we felt we’d given it our all... and that’s exactly how it is! If someone had told us we’d finish 12th when we left Le Havre, we would have signed up immediately. It’s a superb victory in itself for us! I’d like to thank Edenred for believing in me after the Route du Rhum, and for letting me share this exciting adventure with Basile.”

Basile Bourgnon, co-skipper of the Edenred Class40, and the youngest participant in the 14^th Transat Jacques Vabre: “We experienced it all, putting in a bit of everything, physically, mentally, strategically and tactically. We’re proud of ourselves, we did good work. The race was an amazing experience! I learned and discovered so many things, like navigating the trade winds and managing squalls in the Doldrums. It’s been eye-opening and fascinating at the same time. They say that sailing is a sport where, when you’re on the water, you just want to finish, and when you’re on land, you want to get back out there. And, today, I already want to be out there again!”