The “Cremer affaire” does not subside: Banque Populaire overwhelmed by controversy says goodbye to Vendée Globe

The patch is worse than the hole, or die Samson with all the Philistines, one could photograph with these two idioms the Clarisse Cremer “affaire” that has taken an unexpected turn in recent hours. After days of silence inside the cyclone of controversy following the skipper’s dismissal case, Banque Populaire comes out of the closet with an announcement. The reason for the dismissal was as known Cremer’s maternity leave, which according to the sponsor would have prevented her from completing qualification for the 2024 Vendée Globe. Instead, which the skipper believed was still possible.

Banque Populaire says goodbye to Vendée Globe

The position is clear and seems to admit no reply, Banque Populaire will not be with any skipper at the start of the 2024 Vendée Globe. The announcement via a few-line statement:

“The conditions are no longer right for us to be able to move forward calmly,” reads the text, which then closes with a vague reference to “we will work for the involvement of women in the world of sports and particularly in ocean racing.” An escape from the cyclone of controversy, in short, that risked becoming a serious economic casualty as well for a banking group that has been involved in sailing for 30 years, but also has to manage other factors and be accountable to its investors.

What remains indelible, however, is the glaring lapse and inability to handle the affair on the part of the sponsor, who appeared unable to respond with effective communication and especially seemed unable to foresee the obvious controversy that would result from the termination of the relationship with Clarisse Cremer.

Banque Populaire and ocean sailing

The banking group made its debut in the Vendée Globe at the 2012 edition with Armel Le Cleac’h, who finished second, and the same skipper with Banque Populaire went on to win the 2016 edition. In 2020 participation with Clarisse Cremer, who with an older generation foil-less boat finished in 12th place.

Banque Populaire’s impregnation in sailing, however, has now lasted for some 30 years, between Olympic classes and ocean sailing, with engagements in regattas such as the Solitaire du Figaro or major transatlantic races in both the Imoca 60 class and the Ultim trimarans.