It seems that in the ninth edition of the Transat Ag2r sailing race, Concarneau and Saint Barth will finally sail as one!!

Just two years ago, Gilbert Le Bris, mayor of Concarneau, and Michel Magras, vice-president of the Overseas Collectivity of Saint Barthélemy, talked about combining their efforts in the race and in turn giving a chance to two young hopefuls in the open sea racing.  The discussion ended with a promise and a handshake to seal the deal.  Now, the two are seeing their dream become a reality.

St Barts Island :: 2004 Transat Ag2r Race

Since the very first edition of the Transat Ag2r, St Barts has hosted the arrival of this bi-yearly event.  The race itself is quite unusual because all of the Figaro Bénéteau boats in the race are identical single-hull sailboats designed by architect Marc Lombard; each with the same fittings, the same sails, and same safety equipment, the boats are outfitted in the same manner. This years race will begin at the port of Concarneau in Brittany, France on April 20.

So, who are the two lucky sailors?  26-year-old Eric Péron from Concarneau is a sail maker and a regular on the Figaro circuit; he participated in the Transat Ag2r in 2004.  The other is 22-year-old Miguel Danet, a professional skipper aboard Privilège 45 for Top Loc; this will be his first time in the transatlantic race.  Neither has sailed with the other before, so as of next month, they will be under rigorous training.  Their boat, called “Concarneau-Stain-Barth” will also be involved.

There is no telling how this race will end.  Typically there are about 30 teams involved in the race with varying levels of experience.  Regardless of how this team places though, Michel Magras has promised that their arrival will be celebrated in typical St Barts fashion – big.