Nord Stream Race - Team France to compete

by Henry Robson on 7 Oct 2012 The very first Nord Stream Race - which commences on the 18th October 2012 - will see Team France, skippered by Jacques Pelletier take part in the 750 nautical mile Baltic Sea race. Team France, sponsored by Stroygaz Consulting are particularly pleased to be taking part in the foundational sailing event which has a prize fund of €100,000 for the winning team.

The Nord Stream Race has been created to follow the route of the new gas pipeline which connects Russia to Western Europe through the Baltic Sea. Team France are excited to take part in the Baltic Sea race as the destination is relatively new to them and with this comes the excitement of a new challenge.

Philippe Court, president of the Yacht Club of France praised Team France: 'The skipper, Jacques Pelletier is a great sailor and a great skipper who has won many offshore races throughout his sailing career. The crew members are also of high quality and consist mainly of members of Yacht Club of France or allied clubs to YCF and who are mostly amateurs with only two or three professionals. Our crew will be good, competent and effective but we are conscious that the other teams have sailed on Swan 60s for some time already.'

'But we know that on the water as in most sports, the race is never over before crossing the finishing line and we will of course, cross the finish line of the Nord Stream Race with the firm intention to win and to fly high the flags of Yacht Club of France and of France.'

Ziyad Manasir, President of OOO Stroygaz Cconsulting sponsors of Team France commented: 'We are delighted to sponsor Team France. Nord Stream was built for the benefit of the whole Europe and it unites many countries. Our Company has constructed the onshore section of the Nord Stream gas pipeline and the Portovaya compressor station. Gas begins its long journey across the Baltic Sea just from these facilities. We aspired to make this journey irreproachable. I wish a fair wind and good luck to everybody who takes part in this race.'

The Nord Stream Race is an invitational event, open to Swan 60s for the inaugural edition in 2012 with open entry for future editions. The environment is perfectly suited to offer high-class sailing with the promise of challenging winds. The other four entries are: Team Europe, Team Russia, Team Germany and Team Nord Stream Race website