Crew members..

The crew members of the first leg of the Istanbul Europa Race all arrived in Turkey and are preparing to set off Saturday for this first leg towards Nice. On the three legs, seven crew members in total will turn on board alongside Kito to form, as the regulation requires, a crew of five sailors maximum. Portraits ...

Sébastien Audigane, lives in Brest (29), helmsman and trimmer
After Laser, “Seb” spent several years on the Figaro circuit. He won a leg of the Solitaire in 2002, the year Kito won. The two men met with Jean Le Cam on his 60’ before Sebastian “specialized” himself in maxi multihulls. In 2005, he beat the Jules Verne Trophy on board Orange 2 then embarks with Groupama 3, and Banque Populaire V. He also raced the Transat Jacques Vabre 2007 with Yann Eliès onboard Generali.

Franck Citeau, lives in La Grande Motte (34), trimmer and bowman
He also started on Laser before performing two Olympic preparations in Tornado (6th at the Atlanta Olympics). Franck also participates in the America’s Cup in 2000, and then became vice-world champion of F18 in 2002. In the golden age of Trimarans 60’ Orma, he was part of the crew of Lalou Roucayrol, Fred Le Peutrec and Karine Fauconnier. Sports manager of the Mediterranean Training Center (CEM), Franck also sails this season on the D35 Team Smart Home on Lake Geneva.

Brice de Crisenoy, vit à Mauguio (34), boat captain, trimmer and bowman
Blond curls and white glasses as Michel Polnareff’s, Brice accompanies Kito since his debut with the Group Bel in 2005 on the Figaro circuit. With an unshakable motivation “Brissou”, the shore man, is nowadays the second of the 60 feet’s skipper. As comfortable hands in the carbon as in the open sea, he witnessed the birth of Groupe Bel in Italy and never left her!

François Gabart, lives in Port-La-Forêt (29), helmsman and trimmer
There is one who has not wasted his time. At 26, Francis shone in Optimist, in European Moth and in Tornado where he notably won a title of Youth World Champion. 2008 winner of the Brittany Challenge, François sailed for two seasons in Figaro and ranked 3rd in the Transat BPE 2009 and 13th in the Solitaire du Figaro in August. Kito monitors this young talent of French sailing which he will embarked for the Transat Jacques Vabre this fall.

Gwénael Gbick, lives in Villeneuve Les Maguelone (34), Sports manager, helmsman and trimmer After two Olympic preparations in 470 and 49ers, Gwen has spent 10 years at the head of the Yacht Club of Mauguio Carnon, which became a benchmark in high level sailing. Since last November, he assists Kito in the sport management of the project and will use his talents as a helmsman during this tour of Europe. Hervé Giorsetti, lives in Montpellier (34), technical manager, trimmer and bowman Architect, Hervé is also a pillar of the team Kito. In the role of technical manager, he leads the development of Groupe Bel and its optimizations. He also knows the monohull in its smallest detail, including rigging, fittings and all equipment. Sailor, but also photographer, Hervé shares with us the pictures of the incredible adventures of the monohull Groupe Bel. Library available on www.beltchiztour.com

Yann Regniau, lives in Vannes (56), helmsman and trimmer
Hair dishevelled (... as Kito?!) and permanent smiling, Yann is the sail designer for North Sails in Vannes. From the drawing board until the development at sea, he knows better than anyone Groupe Bel’s wardrobe. Yann is also a sailor with its beginnings in dinghies and monotype (several TFV, J24, Melges 24) then sailing offshore, especially with Francis Joyon and Jean Le Cam in monohull and then multihull.

All the news