New Bostik christened

First Veolia Oceans one design unvieled in her new colours

This afternoon singlehanded round the world sailor Catherine Chabaud christened the Veolia Oceans® one design now painted up in the colour of her sponsor, Bostik. On 16 December the boat will set sail from Caen on a round the world reconnaissance tour for the Sol Ocean.

Philippe Duron, President of Lower Normandy's Regional Council and MP for Calvados and Luc Duncombe, President of Caen la mer urban area, by the side of the CEO of Bostik André Ladurelli were there to congratulate and encourage Charles Caudrelier, the skipper of Bostik.

Catherine Chabaud during the 1996-97 Vendée Globe became the first woman in history to complete a singlehanded non-stop round the world race and has received the Legion d'Honneur for work for the environment. Today, it was as the Patron of the association Mecenat Chirurgie Cardiaque, managed by Professor Francine Leca, that she broke the bottle of Champagne Mumm on Bostik's bow. Bostik skipper Charles Caudrelier has always displayed the colours of the association on his Figaro Bénéteau and will continue to do on this forthcoming voyage around the globe.

For this first leg leaving from France to New Zealand, Caudrelier will be accompanied by Liz Wardley, Erwan Tabarly and Erwan Lebec. Wardley sailed around the world as bowman on Amer Sports Too in the 2001-2 Volvo Ocean Race, but for Caudrelier, Tabarly and Lebec it will be their first time in the Southern Ocean.

"Innovation is one of the key factors of Bostik' development," said André Ladurelli this afternoon. "On that account, we are proud to be the first company to sign up to the Veolia Oceans Class. This new challenge is at the same time a sports challenge with sailors on equal footing around the planet and a platform for scientific studies, thanks to the collection of environmental data in isolated areas of the oceans in order to contribute to the protection of the environment. Our commitment illustrates the permanent will of Bostik to build the future".

Bostik, a 100% subsidiary of Total, is one of the world leaders in the adhesives and sealants business. Its most famous brands are Sader, Quelyd, Araldite, Simson and Bostik. With more than 4,700 employees and 48 manufacturing sites in 45 countries, Bostik reaches an annual turn over of 1.4 billion euros.