Clarisse Crémer names her IMOCA "L'Occitane en Provence"!
by L'Occitane Sailing Team 23 Sep 2023 18:37 NZST
After an especially intense start to this adventure, L'Occitane sailing team and their partners were invited to name the IMOCA this Tuesday, in Brittany, France. This served as an opportunity to introduce the boat, reflect on the genesis of this adventure, and look forward to the future with enthusiasm. It was a moment shared with the project's godmothers and godfathers who all share the same values as Clarisse: world surfer champion Justine Dupont, the Managing Director of L'Occitane en Provence, Adrien Geiger, and the mentor of the project, Alex Thomson.
In the world of seafaring men and women, rituals and traditions continue to transcend time as special moments. Naming a boat is one such tradition: people come together, celebrate their unity, and prepare to set sail and conquer the open sea. This is precisely what the L'Occitane en Provence team and their partner representatives experienced this Tuesday in the port of Kernével (Morbihan). It was also an opportunity to reflect on the journey they have already undertaken.
Nearly six months after the collaboration between the brand and the sailor began, a team was assembled, the IMOCA (formerly known as APIVIA) was prepared, a first race was completed under extreme conditions (6th in the Rolex Fastnet Race), and numerous sailing sessions followed. Clarisse rediscovered her love for the sea and the values—team spirit, exemplarity, authenticity—that she shares with L'Occitane en Provence. Together, they aspire to promote female leadership in sailing and foster inclusion within the sport.
Justine Dupont, a Godmother with Similarities
This mission is also championed by Justine Dupont, the boat's godmother, and one of the world's most renowned big wave surfers. "I've been following her for a long time; she has achieved extraordinary feats in a predominantly male world," Clarisse emphasizes. Throughout her rise, Justine Dupont, currently expecting her first child, has made it her mission to demonstrate that everyone has the capacity to push the boundaries of what is possible. This conviction is shared by the teams at L'Occitane en Provence, including CEO Adrien Geiger. The brand is committed, through numerous initiatives, to women's empowerment, even within its own ranks. It has become the first global cosmetics group to implement a twenty-week parental leave policy for all its employees.
These actions align with Clarisse's commitment as she enthusiastically balances her life as a young mother and a sailor. The coming weeks hold significant challenges. As she competes in the Défi Azimut this weekend, the thirty-year-old will then prepare for the Transat Jacques Vabre (Le Havre - Fort-de-France, starting on October 29) before embarking on Retour à la base (Fort-de-France - Lorient, starting on November 26). These two Atlantic crossings will be crucial in the qualification process for the Vendée Globe, set to start in November 2024. This promises a particularly eventful end to the season filled with sports and emotions, and Clarisse is determined to give it her all.
Clarisse Crémer: "The past few months have been very intense, and the project took off very quickly; it was crazy to set up such a project. Despite the fatigue and the tremendous effort it required, we made progress, participated in our first race... It's all positive! This naming of the baot is an opportunity to bring together all the stakeholders of the team, including the L'Occitane en Provence team members. I am delighted with the presence of Adrien Geiger, without whom none of this would have been possible. We introduced the boat to those who were there, presented the team, and discussed our goals for the future. Now, a new phase begins with two major races. It requires so much energy that I try not to look too far ahead and take on the challenges one by one with seriousness and enthusiasm."