The benefits are there punctuates our interlocutor

While the State of mind of our time and media pressure incites always all change or evolve, the organizers of the race to sail the Solitaire du Figaro demonstrate a remarkable constancy: they offer the same recipe to browsers and the public with the same success for thirty-seven years. And the waters of Cherbourg-Octeville, last Sunday, 44 Figaro Bénéteau, inspired by these small constructor name very sporting yachts 10,13 metres, for three weeks of an unavoidable regatta for all French professional mariners. "This is the most beautiful race", are in choir Michel Desjoyeaux and Alain Gautier, all two winners of the test, and the Vendée Globe, a single-handed also, but non-stop around the world.

And this passion from the skippers for the Solitaire has the gift to attract sponsors, fascinated by this test where the sailors go to each of the four stages of three or four days after their last reserves physical and mental to grab, a breath, a victory or a few places. "For us, it is a true privilege to be senior partner of this race, because it is really an authentic environment in which we meet beautiful personalities and real values," says Valérie Masip, Director of communications for Afflelou. Accustomed to the whims football players, the team of Afflelou communication and the leaders of the franchisees, in the city, associated with the event, enjoy contact simple and direct sailors. Since the lunetier established his name, in 2003, on the Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro, he welcomed and indeed "reflects on the renewal of the contract after 2007". It must be said that the entry ticket, not disclosed by the contracting parties but located "around 300,000 euros per year of which a part had as advertising space", according to a close of the record is otherwise more affordable than investments in soccer or tennis. "It is hardly comparable," notes Valerie Masip, "but it must be recognized that the veil is a good investment and we have beautiful benefits." Let's start with those offered by the organizing daily. "The fact of relying on a large group of press has no price." "This ensures daily visibility appreciated by all," recognizes Claire de Crépy, Director of the Solitaire. Having a budget "of nearly $ 2 million euros" and a team of 40 people, the organization is well-performing, allowing of unmissable cities port candidates to the home. "It is the fifth time that it participates in the Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro. "This race allows us to strengthen the links between our five ports (military, fishing, cross-channel, container and boating), our pole of shipyards and all our maritime activities while ensuring a reputation in the city", analysis Jean-Michel Houllegatte, Deputy Mayor of Cherbourg-Octeville for the event. Port manchois invested 396,000 euros in operation including 150,000 euros in direct contribution to the Organizer, which turn the equivalent of 60,000 euros in advertising space in the newspaper. For the village and the animations during the week before departure, Cherbourg "which has made really good things" in the opinion of Claire de Crépy, a budgeted 142.000 euros for an estimated number of visitors to approximately 60,000 people. Caen, two years ago, nearly 100,000 tourists who paraded in the village.

Join the ranks of partners

"These appointments are for us the opportunity to properly rehabilitate maritime city heritage, while we build a new nautical base", concludes the cherbourgeois elected.

Other sponsors have swelled the ranks of partners, such as Eagle, who, for seven years, team organization and a few competitors while contributing to the budget in the amount of 15,000 euros. "This race, as our support for the crew of"Areva"in the America's Cup, can legitimize our products", says Marie - Andrée Jézéquel, Director of communications, which recalls that, on the 200 million turnover figures of the sportswear brand (including licences), 30 are carried out by the sea line. This year, Suzuki joined the event, both in the partner organization and sponsoring a boat. "Sailing has a beautiful image and ours is linked to the motorcycle, while we just out of the car models that stick with the nature side and spaces of sailing", analysis Nathalie Geslin, Director of the Suzuki France communication. "This year, our budget is 100.000 euros." If the benefits are good and our 202 dealers take to the game, we will continue next year.

For sponsors of competitors, there is not that the victory that matters. It is a race and long-term loyalty. Circle green, a family company of distribution of dry grocery (110 million euros of turnover) communities argues Gildas Morvan nine years in the amount of EUR 200,000 per season. "A very good budget", say rivals. The sailor has made several podiums but always runs after a victory. However, the couple remains welded. "We are very pleased of this partnership and it will remain faithful to the Solitaire," says Jean-Claude Régniault, CEO of circle green. Generali and Yann Eliès are the other binomial, nine years old, while the insurer is present for thirty-two years on the Solitaire. "It's an old story of love between the Figaro class and we, historic partner of sailing", said Marie-Christine Lanne, Director of communications of Generali.

Embark on adventure

No objection to the breton skipper, who won several titles, without reaching the highest walks of the Solitaire Afflelou. "More than 600 cuts of press last year." "The benefits are there," punctuates our interlocutor. People's Bank, this sailing partner on all bodies of water, could no longer design may not be at the start of the Solitaire. "We accompany Jeanne Grégoire." Is a young, competent woman who finished 3rd in the AG2R (Editor's Note: a race in dual Concarneau - Saint-Barth contested last April). She succeeded Pascal Bidégorry, the skipper of our trimaran. "For us, this race is now inevitable," says Thierry Bouvard, responsible for the sponsoring Bank of sailing sailing.

These examples of longevity are the "bizuts", sailors and sponsors to embark on the adventure. "We need notoriety and to associate our image with a sport clean and close to nature.". "It is an ideal media," said Gilles Cadondal, President and CEO of Celeos. This breton developer appreciates this race "whose entry ticket is reasonable". Celeos has nonetheless invested 120,000 euros in a Figaro Bénéteau nine and has budgeted 200,000 euros in operating costs. "Given the media coverage of the Solitaire, are of the correct amounts," concludes this contractor.