Edenred to partner with Basile Bourgnon in the Mini Transat 2021

Edenred is stepping up its sailing sponsorship commitments by extending its support for Emmanuel Le Roch and his Class40 and partnering with young skipper Basile Bourgnon and his Mini 6.50. Basile will sail under Edenred colors in 2020 and 2021 as he works up to his first-time participation in the Mini Transat, a single-handed transatlantic race starting in Les Sables-d’Olonne, France in fall 2021 and ending in Saint-François, Guadeloupe.

Edenred, setting sail again

The Edenred Group, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, is embarking on another leg in its sailing adventure with Emmanuel Le Roch and Basile Bourgnon, following on from the 2018 Route du Rhum and the 2019 Transat Jacques Vabre. By decking out two boats in Edenred colors in some of the biggest ocean races, the Group is reaffirming its commitment to sailing and its intention of becoming a long-term contributor to the Class40 circuit.

Bertrand Dumazy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Edenred, said: “Edenred is proud to continue this partnership with Emmanuel Le Roch and Basile Bourgnon. The determination and boldness demonstrated by our two skippers during the Transat Jacques Vabre are values that Edenred shares. Emmanuel and Basile can count on the enthusiasm and support of our 10,000 employees during their next races under Edenred colors.”

Support and experience in the Mini 6.50

While Basile Bourgnon, 18 years old, made his ocean racing debut in the Transat Jacques Vabre alongside Emmanuel Le Roch, he has never made a secret of wanting to step out on his own one day. “I have always wanted to sail single-handed, it’s just who I am! So of course, I went for the Mini 6.50. It’s a great way to learn and I don’t want to cut any corners. I have to learn how to sail on my own and this is the best way to do it,” said Basile Bourgnon.

At the helm of a Mini 6.50, a sailboat series-produced from a David Raison design (the 975) and launched in 2019, Basile will head out to sea in the Mini Transat La Boulangère in September 2021. The famous single-handed transatlantic race, which has kickstarted the careers of some of the greatest skippers, will set off from Les Sables-d’Olonne and head towards Saint-François in Guadeloupe via La Palma in the Canary Islands.

Class40 partnership renewed for three years

After achieving an honorable 12^th place in the Transat Jacques Vabre on a previous-generation boat, Emmanuel Le Roch proved that he was a force to be reckoned with. Over the years, the skipper has forged strong ties with Edenred employees, who naturally continue to support him. Emmanuel Le Roch will fly the Edenred colors for the next two Transat Jacques Vabre races (2021-2023) and on the 2022 Route du Rhum.

“I’m really lucky to have the support of a partner who is in it for the long haul and I’m delighted to welcome Basile to the Edenred team for his Mini 6.50 project. The next three years are set to be action-packed and exciting,” said Emmanuel Le Roch.