Krys Ocean Race - Countdown begins for MOD70 action

by Multi one design on 24 Jul 2013 The Krys Ocean Race countdown begins here…there are 300 days until the start of the second edition which will take the MOD70 fleet from Brest to New York.

Three hundred days for a chance for revenge for the fleet after the 2012 edition saw Spindrift, skippered by Yann Guichard, speed to victory from New York to Brest in a record time of 4 days 21 hours and 8 minutes. A rapid run across the North Atlantic provided a race of rare intensity on an oceanic scale.

Two years ago Brest gave the race an extraordinary welcome for the first edition of the 'Krys Ocean Race' by placing it at the heart of the Tonnerres de Brest (the Brest Maritime Festival) with its 700,000 visitors. For the start of the second edition, Brest will beat to the rhythm of the Krys Ocean Race' from May 3-11, 2014 with a program of sporting and cultural celebrations and many other entertainments (Brest City Races, a ‘Krys Match’, a brass band festival and street shows). 'Brest, the harbour of departure for the great explorations of Laperouse and Bougainville and the major records of the Atlantic and circumnavigations, is the ocean gateway to the Atlantic and the Americas,' Jean-Claude Lardic, Vice President of Brest Evénements Nautiques, said. 'The Krys Ocean Race from Brest to New York continues this great history with an exciting competition.'

The 'Krys Ocean Race' will mark the return of the MOD70 fleet to the ocean for a rematch to New York, from east to west, against prevailing winds and currents. 'After a very successful 2012 edition, we are pleased to host the second edition of the Krys Ocean Race,' Marco Simeoni, President of Multi One Design S.A. said. 'It will take place in May 2014 and will take the fleet from Brest to New York. With the support of Krys opticians, the city of Brest and New York City, this transatlantic race is fast becoming a major international event in the sailing world. The participation of the one-design oceanic multihulls, the MOD70s, will guarantee a top-flight show.'

The MOD70 fleet which will line up for the start of this second edition will each have on board six sailors, including the greatest multihull skippers of our time.

The second edition of the race, already being dubbed 'The Krys', is a major event for its title sponsor, Krys, who have been in sports sponsorship since 2012 after backing this event. The 'Krys Ocean Race' embodies the values of Krys’s 850 opticians: teamwork, sharing, generosity, and technical expertise.

'The Krys Ocean Race has become a not-to-be-missed race for the MOD70 class and the teams involved and it is also equally anticipated by the 850 teams in the Krys stores,' Franck Deschamps, marketing director of Krys, said.

'More than 3,500 eye specialists are going to see their brand travelling to New York. The great pride and enthusiasm are things we recognise in these sailing teams, who, like us everyday, work on precision of movement to ever improve performance. We saw some great human stories during the Krys Ocean Race in 2012. We look forward to renewing those feelings and sharing with our customers the big time thrills and dreams of this second edition. See you in May 2014 for the start of the second Krys Ocean Race.'

The Multi One Attitude Foundation, which fights for the preservation of water on our planet and in particular ocean conservation, will be the charity partner of the Krys Ocean Race again. In Brest, from May 3-11, there will be a space dedicated to the Foundation with a set of events and interactions for the public.

Two events you should not miss:
Official presentation of the 'Krys Ocean Race' and the teams at the Paris Boat Show, December 2013
May 11, 2014: the start of the 'Krys Ocean Race' from 'Brest' to New York City

'Krys Ocean Race' 2014 figures:
Departure: Sunday, May 11, 2014
2,950 miles from Brest to New York City
Opening of the Brest race village: May 3-11
Probable arrival in New York City: May 19 or 20
six MOD70s expected to start
36 sailors racing
850 opticians and their 2500 staff Krys Ocean Race