SolOceans - News - Bostik arrived safe and sound at Wellington in New Zealand (03/07/2008)

Bostik arrived safe and sound at Wellington in New Zealand

Friday March 7th 2008 News RSS

At 11h30 in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, (Thursday 6 March at 22h30 UT), Bostik crossed the line of what will be the official finish line of the first leg of the SolOceans in December 2009, right in front of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and a force 7 wind allowed Charles Caudrelier and Liz Wardley to put a beautiful end to the first leg of the round-the-world Reconnaissance Tour of the SolOceans after having left Caen (France) on December 16^th and stopping twice on their way: once in Lisbon (Portugal), once in Cape Town (South Africa). A year after the announcement of the official partnership with Veolia Environmental Services was made, the first unit of the Veolia Oceans^® one-design series chose to finish the first test sail on more than 14 000 nautical miles (26 000 km). "We feel like we have perfectly carried out our duty", explained Charles Caudrelier at his arrival. "We have proved that the Veolia Oceans^® one-design is safe and at ease in the Great South. Such a test has never been done before launching a new series of offshore racing yacht. It’s very important to do it and I am happy I have done it".

Bostik arriving in Wellington - March 7th, 2008 Bostik in the Bay of Wellington.
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Photo Jean-Marie Liot - SailingOne

This arrival in Wellington where SailingOne, a subsidiary of Eurosport group, creator of the SolOceans and of the Veolia Oceans^® one-design, who has just created a local branch in New Zealand, shows the close link which exists now between the Capital of New Zealand and this new race around the world where all the competitors will be on equal terms. This partnership was officially announced by Helen Clark, New Zealand Prime Minister, from the New Zealand Embassy in Paris (France), last October 5.

The link between Normandy (France) and New Zealand has been concretely realised now by Bostik, Kerry Prendergast, the Mayor of Wellington reminded her motivations for hosting such an event in the New Zealander Capital, during a friendly function organised for Charles Caudrelier and Liz Wardley in Wellington City Town Hall. " We are absolutely delighted to be chosen as the first leg destination for the SolOceans race - which combines competition on equal footing, bravery of the sailors and a real will to better understand the Oceans of the Southern Hemisphere thanks to the Veolia Oceanoscientific^® Campaign. Wellington is a modern city which keeps developing and which is open to the world. The international aspect of the SolOceans is important for Wellington and we will be happy to welcome sailors from all over the world".

Yvan Griboval, CEO of SailingOne, re-explained the reasons for the settlement of the SolOceans in Wellington: "Organizing an offshore race with a stopover here in New Zealand is an honour. This is the country of Sailing at his highest level. Her sailors are found in all the winning teams, in the America’s cup or in the most prestigious oceanic races. In France, like everywhere in the world, we have a deep respect for this country of sailors. As a consequence, the stopover of the SolOceans in this capital is legitimate. It is also the capital of the Roaring Forties - Wellington is on 41° South Latitude - and for sailors it’s an important reference. We are proud to be in Wellington today."

"At first, we have been charmed by Kerry Prendergast and her team’s enthusiasm. We have found common values with the Normandy Region (France), the City of Cherbourg and Caen urban area: open to the entire world and the will to turn its maritime vocation into an asset of excellence. We are happy to establish this regular line between Caen, Wellington and Cherbourg."