Prysmian is sponsoring skipper Giancarlo Pedote in the ‘Vendee Globe’ solo ocean race around the world without docking.
To prepare for the race, Pedote has to take part in a series of preparatory races, aboard the IMOCA 60 craft, with foils.
First tests of the boat in the water have been completed in the last several days.
Prysmian has supported Pedote’s sailing career for over 10 years, spanning different races and boats. In this time he came second place at the 2013 Mini Transat, has achieved two first places in the Mini class world ranking, two medals as ‘Champion de France Promotion Course au Large en Solitaire’, as well as won two ‘Sailor of the Year’ awards.
Pedote said: “I have been racing with Prysmian since 2007. This bond of trust fills me with a deep sense of pride in sailing aboard the boat of a company that has grown so much since 2005, and has offered me the opportunity to grow as well.”
Prysmian chief executive Valerio Battista said: “Sailing embodies Prysmian’s values, such as confidence, ambition and the continual search for new challenges, and at the same time represents the wind and the renewable energies that are the future of our business.”
Electriciens sans frontiers (ESN), an international non-governmental organisation working on humanitarian projects increase access to electricity and water is supporting this year’s Vendee Globe.
ESN president Herve Gouyet said: “Access to clean, safe and affordable energy is essential to eradicating poverty, improving education and health conditions and ensuring economic development and food security.
“Through the supply of electrical cables, the partnership with Prysmian Group allows Electriciens sans frontieres to enhance its ability to take action aimed at promoting access to energy.”