The smile, the weapon - not secret - of Groupe Bel

He is the skipper of a boat baring the silhouette of La vache qui rit ® (The Laughing Cow) underlined by the new signature of Groupe Bel "sharing smiles". To put in a good mood! Yet when Kito de Pavant returned November 12, 2008 with his dismasted boat in the port of the Sables d'Olonne, having to forget about his Vendee Globe, the disappointment was huge. Lots of water - salty - flew under the red monohull's hull. This trauma had to be overcome, wounds healed and bouncing back.

After having repaired and optimized the boat, Kito has returned to competition but also led an incredible saga around the Mediterranean to meet Groupe Bel workers. On sunday, Kito and his young teammate, Francois Gabart, will depart in the Transat Jacques Vabre and one thing is certain aboard Groupe Bel, smiling is sacred!

Full of good vibes !
Seen as heroes in Egypt, Syria, and Turkey, the skipper and his crew were full of energy and offered in turn magical moments to these employees becoming supporters, some of whom had never even seen the sea. “The new signature of Gorupe Bel ‘sharing smiles’ sticks at 100% to this project," testifies Kito. “Thanks to Bel, we live unbelievable moments which only a few sailors and which boost us then in the race”. In France too, the enthusiasm is still there. More than a hundred employees from the four corners of Groupe Bel’s subsidiaries in France came this weekend in Le Havre for the prologue and others will also be present for the start next Sunday.

Looking ahead
« Le Vendée Globe is part of history now, » announces the skipper who has traveled over 12 000 nautical miles in the last six months aboard Groupe Bel. “With François, we have one thing in mind: a beautiful run in the Transat Jacques Vabre and arrive in Costa Rica with as many people as possible behind us!” At least, it has been said. “I am proud of what we achieved in recent months, this year 2009 has been wealthy humanly, technically and sportingly. Experience shows that we have many strengths and our second place in the Istanbul Europa Race * shows it.”

* Istanbul Europa Race : IMOCA race in crew, ran from the 29/08 to 24/09 > Istanbul - Nice - Barcelona- Brest.

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