Barcelona World Race - Jörg Riechers and Sébastien Audigane to race

by Daniel Ferrando on 11 Dec 2014 Barcelona World Race 2014-15 - In the shadow of Barcelona's iconic statue of Christopher Columbus this morning Renault were confirmed as the sponsor of the Franco-German duo Jörg Riechers and Sébastien Audigane, who will start the Barcelona World Race, the two-handed non stop race around the world, on 31st December.

Their IMOCA 60 was officially named as Renault Capturby the gold medal winning Spanish swimmer Mireia Belmonte, who is the boat’s godmother.

The support of the global automotive brand allows Riechers and Audigane to take part in this race which combines the significant sporting challenge with a three month human adventure.

Their boat is the well proven Finot-Conq design which is also known as Votre Nom Autour du Monde which has just competed in the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe, and which previously finished second in the Vendee Globe in 2008-9 in the hands of Armel Le Cleac'h.

Renault returns to the round the world race which they have supported since the first edition. In 2010-11 they sponsored the Spanish team of Pachi Rivero and Antonio Piris who raced as Renault Z.E. This time they sponsor an international team named after the Renault Captur, their urban crossover model.

'We want to grow our profile in Catalan society, which is one of the reasons we sponsor the Barcelona World Race. It is a big event. In addition, our message is about sustainable mobility, and the Barcelona World Race reflects our message very well', explained the communications director of Renault Spain, Jesús Presa before wishing the best of luck to Jörg Riechers and Sébastien Audigane.

The Olympic silver medalist Mireia Belmonte, who has just returned from the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) with four gold medals which included two world records, was also there to wish the best to the new team Renault Captur: 'After my success in Qatar I wanted to spread some luck to the guys, I think the race is a tough challenge. I have learned a bit about the boat and everything seemed very interesting to me.'

'It's a pleasure to be looking forwards to participating in the Barcelona World Race.' Riechers said, 'I have I wanted to be in this race a long time ago because it is one of the biggest sporting challenges that exist, and is also a human challenge because you have to live on a boat at sea for three months in extreme conditions in a small space. So I want to thank the support of the FNOB and Renault.'

With their IMOCA 60 Renault Captur, Jörg Riechers will take on his first round the world race in the shape of this Barcelona World Race. But the race is unfinished business for Sébastien Audigane who raced last time with Kito de Pavant but had to retire into Ushuaia after the keel mechanism failed.

The Barcelona World Race Exhibition is inaugurated in the Barcelona Maritime Museum
The Barcelona Maritime Museum (MMB), the Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona (FNOB) and Renault joined invited media guests this morning to inaugurate the Barcelona World Race 'Turn the World Around' exhibition which is opened in Barcelona's Maritime Museum.

The ceremony was launched by the deputy director of the Barcelona Maritime Museum and Elvira Mata along with the communications director of Renault Spain, Jesús Presa; Renault team sailors Jörg Riechers and Sébastien Audigane and the Barcelona painter Lluís Bargalló, as well as the CEO of the FNOB, Andor Serra.

'Once again it is an honour to host to the Barcelona World Race at the Maritime Museum and this new edition promises to be more colorful than ever before', said Elvira Mata.

The exhibition, which includes interactive displays, photographs and paintings, offers the opportunity to explore and learn all about the race and the competitors.

'The educational work of the FNOB is essential in bringing the sea to the public and society as a whole', underlined the deputy director of the Barcelona Maritime Museum, stressing that 'Sailors of today may be developing stories and information which within just a few years will be part of maritime history '.

The representative of Renault Spain, Jesús Presa, highlighted the values of sustainable mobility for all which are promoted by Renault a concept which chimes with the values of the Barcelona World Race which he described as 'A well known, globally followed race around the world.'

Renault is one of the main sponsors of the race and is also sponsors of the IMOCA 60 which is skippered by Jörg Riechers and Sébastien Audigane.

The exhibition 'Turn the World Around' brings memories of the previous editions of the Barcelona World Race through photographs and paintings. The Catalan painter Lluís Bargalló was commissioned to capture the 'strength and speed' of the IMOCA 60s competing in the 2010-2011 edition.

'From different photos I chose those that I liked the most and then I mixed in a little a little fantasy to create a living, human picture which contrasts with the coldness of the marine environment.' said Bargalló.

The exhibition can be visited at the Barcelona Maritime Museum until April which will coincide with the finishes of most of the competing Event website