Paris (AFP)
The Macif group announced Wednesday to leave the Ultim circuit, putting an end to its collaboration of almost ten years with François Gabart, record holder of the solo round the world race, for whom "a page is turned".
Macif has in a statement justified his decision by explaining want to refocus his "engagement in ocean racing on the circuits Imoca and Figaro Bénéteau".
"This decision is part of the end of the current trimaran Macif sports program, marked by magnificent victories and records for four years," said the group.
This collaboration of almost ten years had enabled François Gabart to sign his best victories: the Vendée Globe in 2012 (Imoca), the Route du Rhum in 2014 (Imoca), the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2015, the English Transat in 2016 and the record for the round the world solo in 2017 in Ultim.
"We have lived together beautiful victories (...) I understand and respect the choice of Macif. One page turns and another opens", reacted François Gabart in the group's press release.
This divorce comes when the future maxi-trimaran of François Gabart, whose construction is led by the design office of the skipper Mer Concept, is to be launched in the summer of 2021.
"My passion remains intact and I will do everything to find actors ready to accompany me in the extraordinary adventure of a crewed Round the World trip," added the skipper, who had given up on the English Transat at the start of May, referring to a big "fatigue".
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