650 employees at the start of the Safran 2024 Sailing Challenge

Let’s set sail

The Safran Sailing Challenge Association has once again demonstrated its organizational skills. For the 19^th year running 650 Safran employees from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, the UK and even the United States took part in three days of nautical competition marked by a friendly atmosphere.

This year’s event took place in Port Camargue, on the Mediterranean coast. This choice of venue came with its set of consequences: “We hadn’t been to the Mediterranean for eight years, and we quickly realized that it wasn’t easy to secure the number of rental boats we needed locally,” explains Pascal Gosse, President of the Safran Sailing Challenge Association. Undeterred, some crews found sailboats in neighboring regions “and sometimes had to travel one or two days to reach the port,” adds Pascal Gosse.

By 8:30 pm on Thursday evening, registration was closed. The challenge could begin.

Each morning, following the 8 am skipper briefing, the 77 crews set off for the regattas (coastal race-cruise), with courses ranging from 11 to 15 nautical miles. Including on Saturday, “during which it rained day and night, forcing participants to sail in boots and oilskins. But that didn’t dampen their spirits!” 

It stopped raining just before the gala dinner, allowing Safran employees to meet and chat. They also had the opportunity to thank the port management and the sailing company for their warm welcome to the Grau du Roi base. Robert Crauste, the town’s mayor, was also present. He expressed that he was “very happy to welcome the Safran crews”.

The following day, the weather shifted and brought with it a different kind of contingency: no wind for the Régate du Navigateur, and the round was finally canceled. “Nevertheless, the boats were able to leave the harbor allowing crews to spend the day at sea, without sailing too much – some even went for a swim!” jokes Denis Galaubet, Secretary of the Safran Sailing Challenge Association.

The weather didn’t prevent a final ranking from being achieved, based on the two regattas – games and quizzes also added to the weekend’s activities. The competition was won by the Safran Helicopter Engines team from Bordes, led by skipper Hélène Clech.

The Safran Sailing Challenge Association is already inviting volunteers to join next year’s event to celebrate its 20th anniversary at the Lorient naval base!