09/04/2024
Conceived by sailor Kito de Pavant, the first edition of the international double-handed offshore sailing race in the Mediterranean will start on September 29, 2024, from Grau du Roi – Port Camargue in the Gard, in the Occitanie / Pyrénées-Méditerranée region.
Two boat categories, monohulls (Class40) and multihulls (Ocean Fifty2), will sail towards Saïdia Resorts, nestled in a preserved natural environment on the northeast coast of Morocco, home to a large Marina.
Arrival is planned as early as October 4 after five days of racing around some of the most beautiful islands of the Blue Mediterranean.
The Class40s (12.19-meter-long monohulls) and the Ocean Fiftys (15.24-meter-long multihulls) will depart on September 29 from Port Camargue, but the former will set off on a course of approximately 1080 miles compared to 1500 miles for the latter, who are faster.
The goal is to arrive together starting on Friday, October 4 at Saïdia Resorts, on the northeast coast of Morocco.
Before welcoming sailors at the Marina under the sign of warm Moroccan hospitality for a weekend of unforgettable festivities, the crews will cruise the Mediterranean visiting spectacular and emblematic places such as the straits of Bonifacio, the legendary Aeolian Islands, the paradisiacal Balearic archipelago, and the charming Zaffarine Islands.
The purpose of this race is to strengthen friendly, cultural, and economic relations between Mediterranean countries.
"We have gathered all the ingredients to build a beautiful offshore race in the Mediterranean, which we want to make last, and which allows us to tell great stories."
explains Kito de Pavant, partner of Christophe Carniel, a major figure in sport in France and internationally."I have learned a lot by participating in many events over 40 years. We try to take the best of all these experiences, add new ideas from elsewhere, and make something of our own. It's a strong bet, but we like things that aren’t easy."
His desire to bring together and welcome all the race participants in the best conditions remains his primary concern. Kito has only one idea in mind: « that they are happy and leave with the desire to come back next time ».
Connecting continents... This is the promise of the MED MAX I Occitanie – Saïdia Resorts whose skippers will leave the northern shore of the Mediterranean to reach the southern shore.
Five days of double-handed sailing race, but also a journey between two continents, Europe and Africa, two countries, France and Morocco, two regions, Occitanie / Pyrénées-Méditerranée and Oriental, two cities, Grau du Roi and Saïdia.
« This is really the leitmotif of our organization", asserts Kito de Pavant.
"Our sport is above all boat travel, optimized trajectories to go as fast as possible from one country to another, from one shore to another », with some course constraints.
This is the very principle of transatlantic races that MED MAX I Occitanie – Saïdia Resorts transfers to a different body of water, that of the Mediterranean, which offers many possibilities.
« I think the skippers will be surprised by the welcome they will receive in Morocco, in a country that does not yet know offshore racing. They will discover all the qualities of a people and a country that have much to offer. It will be a great celebration! »
Discover the race departure village with family or friends: Med Max Occitanie-Saïdia Resorts at Port Camargue!
Through this event, the Occitanie region highlights its riches, tourism, traditions…
Many activities are offered on the docks of the Port Camargue Harbor Master’s Office from Wednesday, September 25 to Sunday, September 29, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Demonstrations of watersports, autograph sessions with skippers, paddleboarding initiation, pétanque tournaments, concerts, giant screens showing sailing images await you to entertain and enjoy good times with family or friends.
Meet the skippers during their autograph sessions, enjoy watersports demonstrations, try paddleboarding, admire Catalan boats, participate in pétanque tournaments, concerts, and much more!
For maximum information about this event or potential accommodations... you can contact the Tourist Office of Grau du Roi.
If you feel like flying to Saïda, located at the far northeast of Morocco, on the Mediterranean Sea shoreline and watching the arrival, know that the city nicknamed « the blue pearl » has planned many festivities for visitors during the prize giving.
Sell or find your boat quickly and easily through our new and used boat buying portal. Sell my boats
© 2024 - RIV ART. All Rights Reserved.
