Gerard Petipas retires

End of an era for French race organiser

There was a transfer of power for French race organiser Pen Duick today at the French National Marine Museum in Paris. Following the announcement of Gérard Petipas’s retirement, the Télégramme group has decided to pursue the adventure of the company he founded 30 years ago with Eric Tabarly... Pen Duick are the organiser of two major events in the international race calendar: the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2005 and the Route du Rhum in 2006.

As creator and organiser of nautical events, Merchant Navy Captain and maritime expert, known and recognised as the closest friend, confidant and right hand man of Eric Tabarly for whom he was navigator, Gérard Petipas (above) is today one of the most revered figures in French sailing.

With Tabarly he created the Pen Duick company in 1973 and has organised major oceanic races since 1979. After organising transatlantic races for the radio station Europe 1 and the magazine Le Point, namely the Lorient-St Barth-Lorient race and the Europe 1 Star, he was joined in 1985 by Pierre Bojic for the creation of the Round Europe Yacht Race. This biennial race was held eight times between 1985 and 1999. It was followed by the Transat Jacques Vabre in 1995 and the Challenge Mondial Assistance in 2001.

Gérard Petipas has always contributed to the development of the magnificent adventure that is offshore sailing. In 2004, after over 30 years in charge of Pen Duick, he has decided to hand over the helm to the Télégramme group so that they can maintain the same heading in the company of Jacqueline and Marie Tabarly.

Since its creation in 1944, the Télégramme group has always aimed to be as independent and rigorous as possible in the way it handles information. The group publishes a daily newspaper, weekly magazines, books, and the quarterly Brittany-Magazine. The group is also involved in advertising and new technology media activities.

Being based in Brittany, the sea has always been part and parcel of the activities of Le Télégramme. It is thus a wholly natural step for the press group to come together with Pen Duick. Roland Tresca, Associate Director of Le Télégramme in charge of the group’s subsidiary branches and representative of the major shareholder, has been named Chairman of the company. He will be supported by the experience and know-how of Pierre Bojic and the Pen Duick team which will continue to organise oceanic races with the same spirit that has reigned for over 20 years. Philippe Sérénon will be an official representative of the company.

Strengthened by its experience of having already organised five editions of the Transat Jacques Vabre, the new Pen Duick structure will also be in charge of the organisation of the 8th Route du Rhum in 2006.

This coming together of Pen Duick and Le Télégramme will create the leading French yacht race organisation, under the umbrella of a press group that has always had excellent contacts with organisers, ship owners, sponsors, yachtsmen and media.

Now in charge of the other major French transatlantic race in the calendar, Pen Duick is heading towards new horizons...