The Ocean Relay with the Maxi Banque Populaire XI: the adventure begins!

The Maxi Banque Populaire XI set sail from Brest at approximately 8pm, bound for the West Indies. With Armel Le Cléac’h at the helm, accompanied by his co-skipper Sébastien Josse, the trimaran began the Ocean Relay, a unique chapter in the Olympic Torch Relay, of which Banque Populaire is an Official Sponsor, alongside Caisse d’Epargne.

This marked the start of a voyage of nearly 10 days for an unprecedented adventure shared by millions of French people, happy to welcome and celebrate the magic and enthusiasm of Paris 2024.

Success and excellence à la française will also be the focus of attention on board the Maxi Banque Populaire XI with our skipper Armel Le Cléac’h and an exceptional crew of celebrities from the worlds of sport, culture, health, and gastronomy, personifying the nation’s pride in French achievements. They include French athletics legend Marie-Josée Perec, one of the first ambassadors of Paris 2024, Marine Lorphelin, a public figure committed to sport and health, actor and director Alexis Michalik, and two-star chef Hugo Roellinger.

The ship is due to arrive on June 15 in Point-à-Pitre. After a stopover on the “Butterfly Island” (the pretty nickname used for Guadeloupe), the Olympic Flame of Paris 2024 will set sail again for the “Island of Flowers” (Martinique). An exceptional fresh crew of athletes from overseas France will then come aboard: Laura Flessel, the most decorated French fencer in history, Coralie Balmy, four-time European swimming champion, Kéni Pipérol-Dampied, skipper of a 100% ecological Class40 yacht, and Thomas Debierre, one of the best French surfers of his generation. These are just some of the inspirational sports celebrities who make France a beacon of excellence worldwide.

Raising environmental awareness

A major partner of sailing for more than 35 years and a sponsor of surfing since 2019, Banque Populaire has always been committed to fostering dynamism and helping to preserve marine ecosystems. The Ocean Relay and, more broadly, the Olympic Torch Relay of Paris 2024, provides a unique opportunity to reinforce this commitment by heightening awareness and encouraging action in favor of environmental protection.

This commitment will find expression in the launch of a legacy program, entitled Sillage (a ship’s ‘wake’ or ‘trail’) in favor of preserving aquatic environments through an educational program, support for World Clean Up Day, and numerous actions linked to the Maxi Banque Populaire XI’s Ocean Relay.

It’s a way of appealing to everyone’s sense of responsibility and helping to make the Olympic Games a springboard for the protection of our waters, our territories, and our environment.

Photo credits: Banque Populaire / Vincent Curutchet. Video credits: ©BPCE-2024. Production: Easy Ride. Images: Easy Ride / Tanguy Conq / Paris 2024 / France TV