Barcelona World Race - Mirabaud teams up with Dominique Wavre

by Jean Philippe Jobé on 7 May 2010 Mirabaud teams up with Dominique Wavre for the Barcelona World Race 2010, Transat Jacques Vabre 2011 and Vendée Globe 2012.

The seafaring skipper from Geneva and Mirabaud are setting their sights on the most prestigious solo and double-handed ocean regattas in the years ahead, culminating with the Vendée Globe

Mirabaud announces today its partnership with the navigator Dominique Wavre for the Barcelona World Race 2010-11, the Transat Jacques Vabre 2011 and the Vendée Globe 2012-13.

Dominique Wavre is Switzerland’s most decorated navigator and one of the most experienced ocean skippers, having sailed over 360,000 nautical miles in the main ocean regattas in recent years.

Born in Geneva, he has already participated in seven round-the-world races. In the Vendée Globe, he placed fifth in 2001 and fourth in 2004, before winning a splendid third place at the Barcelona World Race 2007-08 with his co-skipper Michèle Paret.

Dominique Wavre has sailed no less than 360,000 nautical miles in his career, competing in eight Tours de France à la Voile as skipper. He has climbed the podium twice in the challenging Solitaire du Figaro and placed second in the mythic Transat.

Mirabaud is teaming up with Dominique Wavre for a long-term, international programme founded on a common set of sporting, technological and human values.

Antonio Palma, Partner and CEO of Mirabaud, explains: 'We were captivated by Dominique’s determination and expertise. His rational, calculated approach appealed to us, as well as the highly technical nature of his project.'

'We decided to commit ourselves to the multi-year venture because it embodies numerous values that are dear to us: enterprising spirit, competition, striving for excellence, and technology.'

In the weeks ahead, Dominique Wavre’s sailboat, the Mirabaud, will be optimised in preparation for the coming encounters. The Open 60 Mirabaud is a 60-foot IMOCA-class yacht (International Monohull Open Class Association).
Built in New Zealand at Southern Ocean Marine, it was designed by the English naval architect firm Owen Clarke.

'We will be making numerous improvements on key points,' says the skipper.

'In particular, we are going to work on the yacht’s stability. The goal is to increase the boat’s stiffness while reducing its weight. We know the boat still has considerable potential for improvement, and we are working on it with the Barcelona World Race in mind. Along with these efforts, we will also be repairing the keel head that was damaged during the last Vendée Globe.'

Mirabaud has participated in sailing competitions since 2005 as the main partner of the Bol d’Or Mirabaud, the world’s largest freshwater regatta. It also sponsors Thomas Jundt’s hydrofoil sailboat, the Mirabaud LX, one of the most innovative prototypes of the decade.

Mirabaud is moreover the main partner for the Surprise category on Lake Geneva (the Mirabaud trophy) and supported the UK women’s Yngling racing team, gold medal winners at the Beijing Olympic games.

'The Open 60 Mirabaud allows us to enter a new phase and broaden our horizons,' states Antonio Palma. '

The Mirabaud Group has grown constantly in recent years, and as we have expanded, we have opened subsidiaries around the world…including in Spain, where the Barcelona World Race will start on 31 December of this year! It was only logical that our sporting ambitions should expand in kind, with the symbolic aim of going around the world.

The partnership between Mirabaud and Dominique Wavre will enable Venture Finanzas, Mirabaud’s new subsidiary in Spain, to communicate actively in this market.

The Spanish financial company will begin operating under the Mirabaud brand by mid year, and will be directly associated with the Barcelona World Race via The Mirabaud racing yacht.'

Dominique Wavre and Michèle Paret will be at the start line in Barcelona on 31 December for this double-handed, round-the-world regatta with no stops. It will be a three-month race of the highest level, and a thrilling human adventure – not only for the crew onboard the Mirabaud, but for the supporters, friends and partners of this ambitious project as well.

Quotations:
Antonio Palma, Partner and CEO of Mirabaud: 'Our partnership with Dominique Wavre is in line with our continuous support for sailing, but opens up new horizons for us. In recent years, we have supported numerous projects that all shared the same quest for excellence and high technical prowess.'

'Our entry into the 60-foot IMOCA class will enable us to reach a new public and to strengthen our attachment to this sport. We are delighted to be sharing these moments of intense emotion with Dominique and his team.'

Dominique Wavre, skipper: 'I am proud and happy to enter this partnership with Mirabaud. The Vendée Globe will be the culmination of our joint project, but I am absolutely delighted to begin by participating in the Barcelona World Race alongside Michèle Paret, before taking on the Transat Jacques Vabre 2011.'

'With this well-balanced programme, we should arrive at the starting lines under the best conditions imaginable. All my team members and I are more motivated than ever. A magnificent adventure has just begun.'

Calendar of events:

2010
May-June: the 60-foot Mirabaud returns to the shipyard for optimisation, in preparation for the future events
Date to be announced: official christening
Beginning in September: Preparations for the Barcelona World Race
31 December: Start of the Barcelona World Race

2011
November: Start of the Transat Jacques Vabre

2012
November: Start of the Vendée Globe