Project’s genesis

Just seven months after being created in late 2005, the Safran group launched an ocean racing sponsorship project, dubbed “Safran Sailing Team”, and chose French skipper Marc Guillemot to fly its flag.

The aim of this project was to enhance recognition of the new Group created by the merger of Sagem and Snecma. At the same time, it was designed to provide a rallying point for the tens of thousands of Group employees worldwide.

Safran’s participation in a world-class sports competition largely complements its wide array of existing social and cultural sponsorship actions. Marc Guillemot and his crew, the Safran Sailing Team and the Safran group deployed the resources needed to meet the challenge of ocean racing, by constructing a latest-generation Imoca Open 60 class monohull racing boat. Since its launch on August 6, 2007, the new Safran Open 60 ocean racer has taken part in the world’s major transatlantic races, both solo and crewed, as well as the most legendary sailing race of all, the Vendée Globe solo round-the-world race, in 2008-2009.

Safran training for the Transat Jacques Vabre 2011 - © dppi

First years after the start of the Safran Sailing Team project, the Safran monohull is considered the benchmark in the IMOCA Open 60 Class – the boat to challenge and/or imitate if you want to win. One of the reasons is undoubtedly that Safran has largely exceeded the conventional role as financial sponsor, and is deeply involved in both design and construction. The Group called on its considerable human and technical resources to develop innovative technologies, derived from its aerospace and defense businesses, for this state-of-the-art ocean racer.

Shared values

Over and above techniques and methods, certain values are shared by the skipper of Safran and Group employees - starting with Marc Guillemot’s courage and determination, amply proven under competition conditions. Plus a real spirit of solidarity, as shown by Marc’s support for his competitor Yann Eliès during the 2008 - 2009 Vendée Globe, and perseverance, rewarded by his victory in the Transat Jacques Vabre transatlantic race in 2009.