French put nationalism aside and reward Giancarlo Pedote as French Offshore Champion

No doubt about it. In the course au large, the French are undoubtedly the specialists par excellence: Vendée Globe, Mini Transat, Jacques Vabre. All the great ocean races, solo and small crew, start in France. Therefore, on the very rare occasions when an Italian sailor sees his or her value institutionally recognized by cousins beyond the Alps, the certificate of esteem is worth double.

THE FRENCH CROWN PEDOTE

Giancarlo Pedote, a 38-year-old Florentine fresh off silver at the Mini Transat on Prysmian, the Round Bow Proto (and fourth in the same regatta in 2009), has been elected “Champion de France Promotion Course au Large en Solitaire” (Champion of France Promotion Offshore Solo Regattas) 2013.

A PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

This is a prestigious trophy awarded annually by the French Sailing Federation (FFV) to the skipper who has achieved the best results in the main solo races of the French Mini 6.50 circuit. A fine result, crowning Pedote’s great season: first at the Trophée Marie-Agnès Péron and the Trinité Plymouth, second at the Demi-Cle and the Pornichet Select, and second (with regret) at the Mini Transat, screwed by a whisker by Frenchman Benoit Marie following a bowsprit break.

AND NOW IT’S VENDÉE GLOBE TIME

“In our sport,” Giancarlo commented warmly, “the journey to get to the goal is what is most professionally enriching, and this is something that everyone has to evaluate with themselves alone. 2013 was a year full of satisfaction for me. In the professional sphere, I established new relationships and had the opportunity to strengthen others that already existed. For this 2014 I very much hope to start my adventure in the Imoca 60′ class, with the goal of participating in the Vendée Globe, the nonstop solo round-the-world race that will start in 2016.”