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30.12.2010 Back to news
The Bel Group equation
 | © Gilles Martin-Raget |
It is because they are worth it!
This two-handed round the world race is far from a sudden impulse. Since she was launched in September 2007, Groupe Bel has proved her worth. With more than 60,000 miles (108 000 km) in her wake, the VPLP-Verdier plan already numbers four transatlantic races, including three races and two podiums (2nd in the B to B Transat 2007 and the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2009), but also the European Pro Tour: Istanbul Europa Race in 2009, in which she also came second. “This round-the-world is different from all those I have raced in up to now”, says Kito de Pavant. “I am tackling it calmly and with that touch of excitement which makes me want to set off again every time.” There’s plenty of motivation, there’s no doubt about that. You have to remember that Groupe Bel is also the 31 countries, 11 of which Kito and his IMOCA have visited in three years! This means that from Syria to the Netherlands, not to mention Egypt and even the United States, there will be many supporters across the world faithfully following the adventure.
As regards the sailors, the forming of this duo has nothing to do with luck. The men know each other, enjoy each other’s company and have already raced together in the Transat AG2R this year: 26 days alone together on a Figaro Beneteau II, i.e. a third of what they are about to race! One of them knows the boat inside out, the other has already taken part in the Trophée Jules Verne five times, including a brilliant win on board Orange II with Bruno Peyron in 2005. These two skippers are racers of course, but they are first and foremost sailors and the duo has decided to do things in the right order: enjoy themselves, complete this round-the-world and return as the friends they were before they left! Complementarity and understanding, a recipe which could work well!
Let’s go!
24 hours before the start, the two men know that the last hours ashore will be emotionally trying. Although Sébastien is already “in his own world”, Kito has not yet really realized that he is setting off on a round-the-world: “I’m impatient to get underway, to pass the last marker and to be 10 miles from the coast, to realize that we have set off for 90 days. The last months have been so full that I haven’t even had time to think!” The more the hours pass, the more Seb tries to look to the future: “There will be known and unknown factors. It’s a strange feeling. I question a lot of things ashore, but I also know that I will find the answers quickly at sea. I share Kito’s impatience to leave, and get this adventure underway at last. That’s what we’re here for and that’s what we love!”
Gibraltar - the first high point
On the starting line tomorrow, the weather conditions will be fairly calm (Northeasterly around 10 knots). This information is contributing to the general composure of the sailors. “It’s good news. It's never pleasant leaving your family on the pontoon when there’s a storm straight away. However, for all that, it we won’t be lying back! On the first days, we will be virtually in Figaro mode, being vigilant and very careful about the yacht’s trims, so that she’ll make good headway. We won’t sleep much until we’ve left Gibraltar behind.”
The first part of the race will be played out in the Mediterranean Sea, which Kito de Pavant knows like the back of his hand. “The one to come out of the Gibraltar Strait ahead will have an advantage for the race to follow. A good part of the race will be played out here. I know it very well, but it’s not a good thing to know “too much”. I am aware that it can become very complicated and that you can never drop your guard.”
In order that Kito and Seb can stay fully alert, they have drawn up a list of the essentials.
List of ingredients required for a round-the-world with Kito and Seb:
1 8.5 ton IMOCA + 1 ton of equipment.
1 good luck charm for Seb: an octopus from Douarnenez given to him by his brother.
1 mystery gift sent by Jacques Caraës, with whom Seb attempted the Trophée Jules Verne in 2007/2008 on board Groupama 3.
1 game of backgammon
3 secret sails out of the 10 sails they are allowed on board
3-hour watches for each of them
6 books including the 3 “Millenniums” for Kito
In theory, 6 hours’ sleep per 24 hours.
6 fleeces
10 packets of baby wipes for washing and 1 bar of soap
15 kg of Bel products
30 liters of water
90 chocolate creams by the well-known “Mont alpin” for Séb
180 cereal bars
360 freeze-dried meals
900 freeze-dried coffee capsules
In theory, 2,160 hours at the helm
5,000 tracks between them in their playlists
This two-handed round the world race is far from a sudden impulse. Since she was launched in September 2007, Groupe Bel has proved her worth. With more than 60,000 miles (108 000 km) in her wake, the VPLP-Verdier plan already numbers four transatlantic races, including three races and two podiums (2nd in the B to B Transat 2007 and the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2009), but also the European Pro Tour: Istanbul Europa Race in 2009, in which she also came second. “This round-the-world is different from all those I have raced in up to now”, says Kito de Pavant. “I am tackling it calmly and with that touch of excitement which makes me want to set off again every time.” There’s plenty of motivation, there’s no doubt about that. You have to remember that Groupe Bel is also the 31 countries, 11 of which Kito and his IMOCA have visited in three years! This means that from Syria to the Netherlands, not to mention Egypt and even the United States, there will be many supporters across the world faithfully following the adventure.
As regards the sailors, the forming of this duo has nothing to do with luck. The men know each other, enjoy each other’s company and have already raced together in the Transat AG2R this year: 26 days alone together on a Figaro Beneteau II, i.e. a third of what they are about to race! One of them knows the boat inside out, the other has already taken part in the Trophée Jules Verne five times, including a brilliant win on board Orange II with Bruno Peyron in 2005. These two skippers are racers of course, but they are first and foremost sailors and the duo has decided to do things in the right order: enjoy themselves, complete this round-the-world and return as the friends they were before they left! Complementarity and understanding, a recipe which could work well!
Let’s go!
24 hours before the start, the two men know that the last hours ashore will be emotionally trying. Although Sébastien is already “in his own world”, Kito has not yet really realized that he is setting off on a round-the-world: “I’m impatient to get underway, to pass the last marker and to be 10 miles from the coast, to realize that we have set off for 90 days. The last months have been so full that I haven’t even had time to think!” The more the hours pass, the more Seb tries to look to the future: “There will be known and unknown factors. It’s a strange feeling. I question a lot of things ashore, but I also know that I will find the answers quickly at sea. I share Kito’s impatience to leave, and get this adventure underway at last. That’s what we’re here for and that’s what we love!”
Gibraltar - the first high point
On the starting line tomorrow, the weather conditions will be fairly calm (Northeasterly around 10 knots). This information is contributing to the general composure of the sailors. “It’s good news. It's never pleasant leaving your family on the pontoon when there’s a storm straight away. However, for all that, it we won’t be lying back! On the first days, we will be virtually in Figaro mode, being vigilant and very careful about the yacht’s trims, so that she’ll make good headway. We won’t sleep much until we’ve left Gibraltar behind.”
The first part of the race will be played out in the Mediterranean Sea, which Kito de Pavant knows like the back of his hand. “The one to come out of the Gibraltar Strait ahead will have an advantage for the race to follow. A good part of the race will be played out here. I know it very well, but it’s not a good thing to know “too much”. I am aware that it can become very complicated and that you can never drop your guard.”
In order that Kito and Seb can stay fully alert, they have drawn up a list of the essentials.
List of ingredients required for a round-the-world with Kito and Seb:
1 8.5 ton IMOCA + 1 ton of equipment.
1 good luck charm for Seb: an octopus from Douarnenez given to him by his brother.
1 mystery gift sent by Jacques Caraës, with whom Seb attempted the Trophée Jules Verne in 2007/2008 on board Groupama 3.
1 game of backgammon
3 secret sails out of the 10 sails they are allowed on board
3-hour watches for each of them
6 books including the 3 “Millenniums” for Kito
In theory, 6 hours’ sleep per 24 hours.
6 fleeces
10 packets of baby wipes for washing and 1 bar of soap
15 kg of Bel products
30 liters of water
90 chocolate creams by the well-known “Mont alpin” for Séb
180 cereal bars
360 freeze-dried meals
900 freeze-dried coffee capsules
In theory, 2,160 hours at the helm
5,000 tracks between them in their playlists
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