The 53rd Nautic - International Paris Boat Show opened its doors to professionals and journalists this yesterday morning. With a series of presentations, inaugurations and press conferences, this first day proved to be particularly dense, even before the traditional ‘Nautic Night'. Throughout the different aisles, the winds of creativity and imagination filled the air and the good news is that this is set to last for ten whole days and is sure to delight the general public !
Credit : Nautic 2013 / AFP/ Raoul DOBREMEL
The course for the Tour de France à la Voile unveiled
At 1130 GMT, on the Nautic Stage, Amaury Sport Organisation unveiled the course for the Tour de France à la Voile 2014. Eight towns are to play host to the fleet next year: Dunkirk, Dieppe, Granville and Roscoff, before moving into the Mediterranean, with Roses in Spain, Gruissan, Hyères and Nice. In total, the crews will cover some 900 miles, via 24 inshore races, six coastal hops and four nights at sea. Suffice to say that the rhythm will be intense, as the event will extend over just three weeks rather than the usual four. Beyond the course itself though, the most significant new feature is the arrival of the Grand Surprise at the event. This one-design will be a craft for the youngsters and amateurs alongside the professional M34 craft.
The Route du Rhum announces its title partner
This Friday at 1800 hours, on the Nautic Stage, the Pen Duick Company, organiser of the Route du Rhum, announced the commitment of Guadeloupe as title partner to the event and unveiled its brand new visual in honour of its two regions. For its tenth edition, the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe, which is its new title, is once again likely to boast a top-level line up true to its reputation and the dreams and ambitions of the best sailors. For this historic vintage, the various pretenders to victory will be split into five categories: Ultimates, Multi50s, Imocas, Class 40s and Class Rhums.
An inauguration in the presence of a cluster of stars
The official inauguration of the Nautic is due to take place at 1800 GMT this evening, in the presence of Alain Pichavant, Commissioner General of the Nautic, as well as sailing greats such as Franck Cammas and Michel Desjoyeaux.
Alain Pichavant, Commissioner General of the Nautic: “The first day of the Nautic is always important as it plays host to professionals and press. It has to be admitted once again that things have really got off to a flying start with the presentation of some major races like the Barcelona World Race, the Tour de France à la Voile and the Route du Rhum… One of the particularly significant meetings in this 53rd edition is scheduled for Sunday, on the banks of the River Seine, with the kick-off of the biggest Stand Up Paddle event in the world with no less that 300 competitors registered.
The upcoming week will be punctuated by a wealth of events such as the special soirée for the equipment manufacturers on Tuesday, the prize-giving ceremonies for the Maritime Book Prize and that of the Nautic Motor Boat Design Awards. As a result there will be plenty of opportunities for the general public to discover the marine universe, as well as a host of new features, both in sailing and motorboating.”
World exclusives at the Nautic 2013.
A whole ‘raft' of new feature is being exclusively unveiled this year once again. Among them are a number of examples that particularly showcase the dynamism of French industries.
From : Rivacom
