Prysmian and skipper Pedote: the only Italian team at the Vendée Globe 2020 race, the globe-spanning solo sailboat race known as the Mount Everest of the seas.

Prysmian Group and Giancarlo Pedote will be the only Italian team to participate in the ninth edition of Vendée Globe, the round-the-world solo sailboat race that is among the major international sailing events of 2020-2021. For the 33 competitors, the race will begin in Les Sables-d'Olonne (France) on 8 November.
Vendée Globe is a one-of-a-kind event that combines athletic competition with adventure, tenaciousness and endurance, with all skippers sharing a common destiny as they confront the elements, pushing their limits and facing their emotions.

“We remain committed to sailing not only because the sport embodies values cherished by Prysmian, such as ambition and the constant pursuit of new challenges, but also because wind and renewable energy represent an important part of our business. Sustainability is part of Prysmian Group’s DNA. We focus on constantly developing our technology in support of the energy transition and aim at increasing the percentage of sales from low carbon products to 50% by 2022,” stated CEO Valerio Battista.

The experienced Giancarlo Pedote will be the skipper of the Prysmian Group vessel. A Florence native, born in 1975, with countless regattas and victories aboard various boats (Mini 6.50, Figaro Bénétéau, Class 40, Class Multi50, Moth and various dinghies and cabin cruisers) that have taught him to manage the wind, fatigue and his emotions.
In this initiative, Prysmian Group is also partnering with the NGO Electriciens Sans Frontières, as the Group’s goal in the Vendée Globe 2020 is to increase people's awareness of the importance of electricity in everyday life and to promote access to energy for populations in difficulty through the collaboration with Electriciens sans frontières: this is #4People project.

Starting with this edition of the race, Vendée Globe is undertaking a long-term responsibility project. In consultation with all its partners, SAEM Vendée is committed to organising events aimed at limiting the environmental impact and implementing concrete actions to raise public awareness of the issue of the protection of the oceans. Various initiatives will be carried out at the Village — including the reduction of single-use plastic — prioritising local suppliers and companies and introducing a system of onsite waste collection and recycling. The event will focus on raising awareness of the health of the oceans, particularly among the younger members of the public, using educational tools available through the Vendée Globe Junior programme.