Olympic Games: "Maxi Banque Populaire XI" carries the Olympic flame across the Atlantic
Tatjana Pokorny
· 11.04.2024
For the first time this summer, the Olympic torch will be carried across the Atlantic under sail by one of the fastest racing boats on the planet. Skipper Armel Le Cléac'h and co-skipper Sébastien Josse will sail with the Olympic flame from Brest to Pointe-à-Pitre from 7 to 17 June on their ultra-trimaran "Maxi Banque Populaire XI" and visit France's overseas territories. Together, the extremely experienced sea sailors Armel Le Cléac'h and Sébastien Josse have already sailed seven times around the world.
The Olympic flame travels across the Atlantic
The Transat adventure, as well as the onward journey to Guadeloupe, will take place with prominent guests on board. The successes of the athletes from the French overseas territories will also be celebrated. The Olympic flame will be kept in a lantern during the crossing. With the help of a lively educational programme for schoolchildren of all ages and a virtual regatta, millions of people will be able to take part in this part of the Olympic torch relay.
As a partner of sailing, according to a Banque Populaire press release, the company "has always been committed to promoting dynamism and contributing to the preservation of marine ecosystems. The Ocean Relay is an important opportunity to continue this commitment by raising awareness and encouraging action to protect the environment".
Lots of celebrities for the Olympic Transat
As a "bank of craftsmen, entrepreneurs and daredevils", Banque Populaire is particularly keen to support and valorise those "who create something, do something and dare something". To accompany the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 to the other side of the Atlantic, a crew has been put together with the organisers of Paris 2024, bringing together inspiring personalities from the fields of sport, culture, art and gastronomy. Together, they want to put the spotlight on French savoir-faire.
The Transat will be accompanied on board by the only three-time French Olympic champion Marie-José Pérec. The legendary runner from Guadeloupe won gold in the 400 metre race in 1992 and twice in the 400 metre and 200 metre races in 1996. She will be joined by the young doctor Marine Lorphelin, who is an ambassador for the Paris 2024 Torch Relay and is committed to promoting sport as a strong health factor. Also on board are France's "theatre prodigy" Alexis Michael, whose current play "Edmond" has been awarded five Molières. And French chef Hugo Roellinger from Brittany, who is committed to sustainable gastronomy and earned a green star for his efforts in 2020.
A virtual regatta for everyone
The unique sea voyage of the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 was designed to be shared with as many people as possible. The transat crew of the "Maxi Banque Populaire XI" is challenging online players to compete. From 7 June, it invites players to take part in an exclusive online regatta to mark the torch relay of the Paris 2024 Olympic flame. The best virtual regatta sailors can win exceptional prizes, such as a stake on "Maxi Banque Populaire XI".
After the Olympic flame of Paris 2024 has greeted the butterfly island of Guadeloupe, it will sail towards the flower island of Martinique. A new crew of overseas athletes will join Armel Le Cléac'h and Sébastien Josse on board. The aim is to honour more athletes from the French Antilles. They include exceptional fencer and double Olympic champion Laura Flessel (Guadeloupe), three-time Olympian and freestyle bronze medallist Coralie Balmy (Martinique), Class 40 helmsman Kéni Pipérol-Dampied (Guadeloupe) and junior world surfing champion Thomas Debierre (Guadeloupe). They will be joined by Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024 and patron and godfather of the "Maxi Banque Populaire XI".
The whole adventure is to be shared with as many people as possible. With the "Relay of the Oceans", Banque Populaire is launching a programme to preserve aquatic habitats. This commitment will take the form of an educational programme developed and set up in collaboration with Génération 2024, the educational programme of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and with the participation of Casden Banque Populaire.
The Olympic flame travels adventurously
Armel Le Cléac'h said ahead of the offshore Olympic events: "The Olympic flame is a symbol that goes far beyond sport and will form an incredible human chain. It fills me with pride to be part of this relay and to be able to carry the flame on board the 'Maxi Banque Populaire XI'. There will be a lot to share and discover with the crew. With Sébastien, we will ensure everyone's safety, guarantee cohesion and arrive safely in harbour. We will all learn from each other, it will be exciting."
