The CIC extends its commitment to The Transat CIC until 2032. A strong presence for the benefit of ocean racing and a showcase of the actions carried out for the benefit of the maritime transition
- Alexis LOTTON
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Title partner of The Transat since 2019, the CIC is extending its commitment alongside OC Sport Pen Duick, the race's organizing company for the 2028 and 2032 editions. The next The Transat CIC will once again set sail from Lorient, whose metropolitan area has committed to two starts with the oldest single-handed transatlantic race. A major player in ocean racing for many years, the CIC is also a benchmark in financing the maritime transition. In order to create bridges between its different areas of expertise, the CIC will rely on the Club du Large, a platform that will link its sailing projects, its industrial commitments, and all positive initiatives.
It is the oldest of the solo transatlantic races, the one that since 1960 and the first edition won by Sir Francis Chichester has continued to fuel the ambitions of all sailors in search of the open sea. It is also the one that introduced the French to Éric Tabarly, double winner in 1964 and 1976, granting him a place in the pantheon of sportsmen adored by an entire country. Since 2019, what was long called the English Transat, has become The Transat CIC, associating its unique wake with that of the oldest French deposit bank. With just over two years to go until its next edition, which will once again start from Lorient, OC Sport Pen Duick, the event's organizing company, is delighted with today's announcement by the CIC, which confirms its title partnership for 2028 and 2032. This commitment strengthens the bank's presence in the field of ocean racing, and also supports The Famous Project CIC, the CIC Med Channel Race and the CIC Normandy Channel Race.
The Transat CIC 2024, a complete success
This historic event, won by Yoann Richomme in 2024 aboard Paprec Arkea, gave the IMOCA Class skippers the opportunity to demonstrate the sporting and technical demands of their line-up. Facing the Atlantic from the north face, the sailors once again tackled one of the toughest events in the ocean racing landscape. The Class40 competitors also made The Transat CIC 2024 an exceptional edition, engaging in a great battle with the top five finishing in a group in New York. Another choice category, newly created to give the sailboats that make up the history and heritage of ocean racing the opportunity to hoist the sails in the race, the vintage boats brought an extra touch of soul to this beautiful solo transatlantic race. True to its promise of pure challenge, The Transat CIC has also anchored itself in its time, putting the importance of low-carbon maritime transport at the forefront. These are all ingredients that made the last edition a sporting, popular, media, and environmental success.
The Club du Large, “the voice of all voices”, a showcase for maritime transition
In 2024, the CIC and OC Sport Pen Duick decided to make the decarbonization of maritime transport a major issue for The Transat CIC. A pioneer in sailing transport, firmly rooted in its history, faithful to its sporting fundamentals – One man, one boat, the ocean – the 15th edition of the race was a great popular and media success. This success reinforced the CIC's choice to use ocean racing to highlight its maritime development axes and its desire to embody "the voice of all voices" via the Club du Large, a B2B communication platform integrating not only the projects led by the bank in ocean racing but also all projects that support this collective awareness. A true showcase for industrial and technological initiatives linked to the maritime transition, this platform carries the voice of the CIC to the service of experts in the decarbonization of the maritime sector, its partners and all stakeholders in the sector. Through targeted communications on LinkedIn and via a web series, Le Club du Large is the place where future solutions and small, large, and medium-scale commitments converge. A true source of inspiration, the platform will regularly move beyond the “virtual” to offer opportunities for discussion within CIC agencies in the region or on the sidelines of nautical events and ocean races. The first physical meeting of the Club du Large will be held in Le Havre at the end of September, in the presence of Armel Tripon, skipper of a latest-generation IMOCA built from decommissioned carbon fiber.
They said:
Daniel Baal, President of the CIC: "It was with The Transat CIC that CIC initiated its presence as a partner of major ocean racing events. This confirmation of our title partnership for the 2028 and 2032 editions clearly reflects our vision of acting over time and on projects that profoundly mark and transform their environment. More than a sporting project, The Transat CIC is a showcase of the group's commitments to stakeholders in the ecological transition. For a bank like CIC, which is also a mission-driven company, it means taking concrete action in a world that is changing and must adapt!"
Claude Koestner, Deputy Director General of CIC: "The Transat CIC and the Club du Llarge are a fantastic platform for all of our regional banks and for our teams committed to businesses. This presence allows us to highlight our actions in the maritime sector and, more broadly, all the actions carried out in favor of the ecological transition. A true place for exchange and meetings, these meetings will be opportunities to highlight those who want to make a positive difference."
Fabrice Loher, President of Lorient Agglomeration and Mayor of Lorient: "The developments carried out over more than ten years by Lorient Agglomeration to accommodate the major sailing stables – pontoons, hangars, offices on the waterfront, direct access to the water – have borne fruit. Today, our world-leading offshore racing center is truly a standard of our maritime excellence. The strategic choice to convert the submarine base into an offshore racing center has enabled the development of a sector of excellence, notably with the creation of the Lorient Composite Valley. The start of the 16th edition of The Transat CIC from Lorient La Base must be a major popular celebration allowing as many people as possible, especially young people, to discover the maritime environment and more specifically the maritime professions."
Joseph Bizard, General Director of OC Sport: “The Transat CIC is a highly symbolic event for OC Sport Pen Duick. It’s the race that founded our discipline, the one that made Eric Tabarly famous, leading him to create the Pen Duick company a few years later. We have an almost filial bond with this transatlantic race, which is by far the most difficult. This ascent of the Atlantic via the north face is extremely demanding and gives it an essential place in our sporting panorama. The last edition confirmed this status, both in terms of the commitment of the sailors and the enthusiasm shown by the general public. But The Transat CIC is also a race that has successfully transformed itself and opened up new areas of expression by putting low-carbon maritime transport at the forefront. Our relationship with the CIC began in 2019, facing many challenges. Our partnership is long-term, and that’s what makes it so strong.”
Antoine Mermod, IMOCA Class President: “The last event was a real success, both in terms of sport and in terms of the energy shared around the race. We found exemplary organization, a lively village, a large crowd, and incredible fervor. At sea, the battle was intense, worthy of the legend of The Transat CIC, and the arrival in New York, in this unique setting, offered a sumptuous finale. It was all the more flavorful since the event had not taken place since 2016. It is on these solid foundations that we are very happy to announce its return in 2028. The CIC's recommitment to an event of such magnitude is a strong signal: it illustrates the importance of this race and the confidence placed in its future. We are convinced that the next edition, in 2028, will be a great success.”
Cédric de Kervenoel, President of Class40: “The return of The Transat CIC is excellent news because the race has always been part of the Class40 calendar and is, in the collective imagination, the cradle of ocean racing with Eric Tabarly’s two victories. The 2024 edition was a real success on a sporting level with, in Class40, a fight to the end. Class40 is delighted with the renewed commitment of CIC, a loyal partner, who also sponsors two other events on our calendar: the CIC Med Channel Race and the CIC Normandy Channel Race. Class40 is also delighted to enter into a collaboration with OC Sport Pen Duick that goes beyond just the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe. It is with enthusiasm that we welcome them back at the helm of an event that is part of the ocean racing program for which Class40 was created.”
