Mini-Transat 6.50 – Success for Prysmian and Giancarlo Pedote

G. Pedote arrived yesterday at 12:16:34 -Italian time- successfully completing the sailing race across the Atlantic Ocean from France to Brazil.

Giancarlo Pedote cut the line in Salvador the Bahia on October 25th, 07:16:34 Local, welcomed by pouring rain and leaden sky, exulting on board Prysmian ITA 626, the boat that took him successfully across the Atlantic Ocean along a route of 4.200 nm.

The sailing race -the longest Transat in the Mini category- departed from La Charente Maritime (France) on September 13th, stopped only once in Madeira Island from September 18th to October 3rd and was expected to approach the Brazilian coasts these days. Giancarlo managed to complete the race in 28 days, 33 minutes and 45 seconds at an average speed of 6.35 knots, ranking 4th in the overall standings out of 85 participants: the best result ever achieved by an Italian in the 17 editions of the Transat 6,50.

Fourth in Series, together with Prysmian Giancarlo achieved all of the expected goals, though he admitted the race had been long and difficult both physically and psychologically. The Italian sailor also expressed his regret and disappointment for the misfortune of his friend and compatriot Riccardo Apolloni, stranded on a beach near Bahia.

“It is really an extreme race” commented Giancarlo as he stepped on the dock, welcomed by representatives of the organization and Xavier Macaire, arrived 1 hour and 19 minutes earlier, who came to help him mooring the boat after having sailed side by side throughout most of the route. In the short telephone conversation with Prysmian, Giancarlo expressed his gratitude for the support received by the dynamic multinational Group and told us that the real regatta’s difficulties proved to be far harder than he had expected, that more than once he had the feeling no to get to cut the line: and instead he’s made it even if with 6 kg less and his hands covered with callosities.

To date there are still more than 20 participants at sea: the latest arrivals are expected by the beginning of November.

Energy, strength, speed and safety are the values shared by the Prysmian Group and Giancarlo. "Innovating to compete" is the mission of Prysmian Cables and Systems and is also the basis to win in sailing.

Route: : Charente Maritime (France)/ Funchal (Madeira Island - Portugal) / Salvador de Bahia (Brazil)
Nautical miles: 1,100 miles between Charente Maritime and Madeira and 3,100 miles between Madeira and Salvador de Bahia corresponding to 4,200 nm. The Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6,50 is the longest Transat (Mini Classe) considering the history of the race.
Kilometres: 7,800 km
Start date from Charente-Maritime: : Sunday the 13th of September 2009
ETA arrival to Funchal (Madeira Island): Friday the 18th of September 2009
Departure from Funchal (Madeira Island):Saturday the 3rd of October 2009
ETA arrival to Salvador de Bahia (Brazil): Thursday the 20th of October 2009