9th Transat AG2R: departure on April 20th
The departure of the 9th edition of Transat AG2R, the race with equal weapons which runs in double on board a Figaro Bénéteau, will take place on April 20th, 2008 of Concarneau. The fleet will put then the cap on St.Barthélemy in the Antilles, for a route of 3710 miles, which is, about a three weeks race.

It is today at noon that the press conference of the 9th Transat AG2R was held. It took place in the office of the AG2R in Paris, in the presence of Yvon Breton Managing director of the group AG2R, Gilbert Le Bris member of French Parliament and Mayor of Concarneau, Dany Bellour Regional councillor of Brittany, Jean-François Garrec, President of the CCI Quimper Cornouaille, and Etienne Marie Airiau General manager of the European Deprived Bank.

Departure and arrival confirmed
The 8th edition of Transat AG2R had disrupted the tradition with, for the first time, the change of the departure port. What constituted a challenge, turned out a success, a warm and effective reception of the city of Concarneau being greeted just as much by the sailors than by the public or the media. This change, not that evident on the paper, very well worked and each was able to find naturally his marks at once Pierre Bojic, General manager of Pen Duick said delighted. The route will not thus change. Then it is towards St.Barthélemy island, who knows so well how to celebrate sailors that the fleet of the Figaro Bénéteau will dash.

A boat in the colors of Concarneau and Saint Barthélemy
The last edition of Transat AG2R, which connected Concarneau to Saint Barthélemy knew, not only, an indisputable success, but the race also allowed to create solid links between both communities. As a matter of evidence, a boat, flying the colors of Concarneau and St.Barthélemy will cross the starting line of the Transat AG2R. On board a sailor from Concarneau and a sailor from St.Barthélemy. The names of these two skippers will soon, be revealed.

A record to be beaten
In 2006, the branch of performers of Transat AG2R was exceptional, all the last winners of the long hall races in the wide had answered presents. Among these the tenors of the circuit Figaro, to name a few: Charles Caudrelier, Gildas Morvan or Kito de Pavant. This last named was the one who crossed the finish line in head to Saint Barth ' together with Pietro d' Ali after 19 days 22 hours and 24 minutes and 30 seconds of race. In other words, an average of 7,76 knots on a route of 3710 nautical miles. This is the record to be beaten.

They said …

Yvon Breton: I am very confident as for this 9th Transat AG2R. The previous edition, on the same route had been a beautiful demonstration of the talent, the pugnacity and the motivation of all the actors of the city of Concarneau and the CCI. These teams realized a magnificent work and this year, we shall put the line higher to make an even more popular event. This Transat carries values, which are dear to AG2R foresight. It is a race on equal terms, not a commissioned race, one that remains affordable. Thanks to the good visibility of this sport, we saw, in the course of the events the increasing awareness of AG2R.

Gilbert Le Bris: It was a pleasure for us to be the city of departure two years ago and an even bigger pleasure to renew the experience. The City of Concarneau had put a lot a lot and, for this 9th edition, we shall go even farther by setting up the ‘Transat race village’ earlier with a larger choice of programs. On a race in double, we needs a coherent crew to get it to succeed, for us, it is also about an organization team and we shall implement everything so that this edition obtains the success which it deserves.

Jean François Garrec: Transat AG2R mobilizes the economic world and all partners. She also allows to attract more tourists and this year, the departure will be given during the school holidays what will be a supplementary trump card for our region. Besides, we are going to set up new pontoons to accommodate the fleet of the Figaro Bénéteau, what is a step furthermore in our will to develop the sailing as complementary extension of the naval activity.

Pierre Bojic: The Class Figaro is a solid and well organized class which includes 'tenors' and lit amateurs what allows to organize quality races as this one. And I am moreover anxious to underline the support of the BPE for this event, quite as that of the AG2R on the Trophy BPE. With one beautiful city of departure, a beautiful city of arrival and a branch of exceptional sailors, we hope to renew, even to exceed the media success of the previous edition. All the ingredients are collected so that it is a magnificent race and we shall have even among the runners a famous Jean Galfione.