News
Brittany Ferries proudly sponsor Pamela Lee in upcoming Transatlantic race
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Jean-Marc Roué, President of Brittany Ferries, Pamela Lee and Christophe Mathieu, CEO
The renowned, world-record-holding Irish off-shore sailor, Pamela Lee, was in Cork this weekend, gearing up ahead of her next Transatlantic adventure. That will be the 30th annual ‘Transat Jacques Vabre’ race, taking place from October 29th, 2023.
Pamela was attending the annual France-Ireland Chamber event, hosted by Brittany Ferries on board its flagship vessel Pont-Aven, Saturday 16th of September. The guest of honour welcomed by Brittany Ferries president Jean-Marc Roué and chief executive Christophe Mathieu, as well as members of respective chambers on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Brittany Ferries used the occasion to confirm its sponsorship of Pamela and her sailing partner, French native Tiphaine Ragueneau. The company joins DFDS and French energy provider Engie as joint-sponsors of the Franco-Irish, all-female crew
The Transat Jacques Vabre race is a major event on the international sailing calendar and retraces the historic coffee route from Le Harve in France to Fort-de-France Bay in the Caribbean. More than 60 craft will take part this year.
Pamela and Tiphaine will be one of just three all-female competitive teams.
At the event, Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries stated, “As proud connectors of Ireland and France and strong supporters of the seafaring community globally we didn’t hesitate when approached to sponsor Pamela and Tiphaine on their forthcoming challenge. They are both incredibly determined and passionate about sailing, as well as increasing female participation in professional and amateur sport and offshore sailing. This dynamic duo represent the very best of partnership, endeavour and respect for seafarers and the seafaring community. That’s why we are so proud to sponsor them as they embark on this very impressive journey.”
In March this year, the Irish-French duo won the Cap pour Elles selection to take part in the Transat Jacques Vabre race, ahead of nine other pairs of young women. Cap pour Elles is an initiative designed as an opportunity to support up-and-coming female talent giving them the best chance to compete in this famous Transatlantic race.
A native of Greystones in county Wicklow, Pamela broke three world records as she sailed around Ireland in under four days in 2020.
For more information about Brittany Ferries please visit, www.brittany-ferries.ie. For more information on Pamela Lee, please visit www.pamelaleesailing.com.
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For further press information, please contact:
Suzanne Meade, Fuzion Communications, [email protected] , +353 (0)86 413 3031.
Notes to Editor
About Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries was conceived in 1972, starting life as a freight-only service on 2nd January the following year. The first ferry (Kerisnel) linked Roscoff in Brittany with Plymouth in the South of England and carried a cargo of artichokes and cauliflowers. Since then the company has progressively launched, then strengthened its shipping routes. This year, Brittany Ferries celebrates 50 years at sea. Millions of passengers and businesses transporting goods by sea across the so-called Atlantic Arc (France, UK, Spain and Ireland) rely on the links forged over the decades. In addition to cutting congestion and emissions on busy roads, these motorways-of the sea have helped enrich local communities, creating jobs and nurturing international tourism.
More details here: https://corporate.brittany-ferries.com/en/press.aspx
Key figures:
- Turnover: €444.7 million in 2022 v €469 million in 2018-2019.
- Fleet renewal: Four new LNG-powered vessels to join the fleet (2022-2025) including two LNG-hybrids.
- Employment: 2,500 employees, including 1,600 seafarers (full-time equivalent)
- Passengers: 1,84 million in 2022 v 752,102 in 2021 (2.5 million in 2019 – pre-Covid year)
- Freight: 167,771 in 2022 v 160,377 in 2021 (201,554 in 2019 – pre-Covid year)
- 12 vessels connecting France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland, via 14 maritime routes
- 12 ports: Roscoff, Saint-Malo, Cherbourg, Caen, Le Havre, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Poole, Cork, Rosslare, Santander, Bilbao.