New Leader in two-handed Figaro Transat AG2R

by Peta Stuart-Hunt on 22 Apr 2006 Overnight as this exciting story played out, there was a new leader in the two-handed Figaro Transat AG2R. Kito De Pavant (France) & Pietro D'Ali (Italy), sponsored by GILL, have raced into first place on board GROUPE BEL.

They currently hold a slim lead of just under five miles over second placed Aquarelle.com (Yannick Bestaven/Ronan Guerin) with Banque Populaire (Jeanne Gregoire /Gerald Veniard) snapping at their stern in third place.

GROUPE BEL is the ninth different leader since Concarneau and there are currently just under 12 miles separating the first four boats.

In today’s radio interview with race control, Kito de Pavant says that the rest of the fleet has everything to play for and that many boats are close on their heels and no doubt the whole game will re-start once the wind picks up again.

Kito comments that they are currently sailing in less than 20 knots of wind but at least the waves are going in the right direction! He is very pleased that they are now in the lead and they will do everything they can to hang on to this.

Asked by the interviewer when they expect to arrive in Saint-Barthélemy, Kito responded that it was hard to predict, but probably sometime in the evening of 29th April; the interviewer quipped, 'so we’ll put you down for 29 April at 1800 then?'

The Race:

The Transatlantic AG2R race is organized by PEN Duick, with the participation of the Town of Concarneau for the departure, and the town of Saint-Barthélemy for the arrival and with the collaboration of the French Federation of Veil and sponsored by AG2R Prévoyance.

Course = 3710 miles Departure: Concarneau - Finish: Saint-Barthélemy

Additional information:

Pietro is a previous a vice-World Champion in the 470 class (1987), the Star European Champion in 1993, and has a few Olympic campaigns and the Whitbread 1993 under his belt, plus six years inas part of the Prada Team campaigns. He also won a leg of the Figaro Afflelou in 2005 and finished in 8th place (the best result for a new entry in this race).

Kito won the Figaro in 2002 and finished third in 2005 which was his first year in partnership with GROUPE BEL.

This charismatic duo is benefiting from a clothing partnership with Gill and using the latest KB Racer and Ocean Racer kit as well as a full range of mid and base layers products.

The 2006 race schedule also includes:

29 May-18 June: Solo Méditerranée
25 June-8 July: Odyssee Cannes /Istanbul (with Alberto Spina)
4-30 August: La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro

Event website: http://www.transat-ag2r.com