Latest news with #VendéeGlobe
France 24
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- France 24
Women of the sea
France 12:46 Issued on: 12:46 min In a special edition to mark the UN Oceans Conference being held here in France, we're focusing on the women of the sea; be they sailors, explorers or working in the merchant navy. In a world long dominated by men, there is now a wave of talented women who are turning the tide. Annette Young meets Swiss sailor, Justine Mettraux, who was the first woman to cross the finish line of the 2025 Vendée Globe; the solo round-the-world race. She set the record for the fastest result ever by a woman. Our other guest is Tamara Klink, the Brazilian sailor who made her first solo Atlantic crossing at the age of 24. Last year, the 28-year-old became the first woman to spend eight months of winter in Greenland alone on her vessel. Plus what is life like for the women in the French merchant navy, who still make up an exceedingly tiny minority, and how some still experience misogynistic behaviour.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Globally recognised yacht equipment firm celebrating a decade of success
It's a globally recognised yacht instruments company which has supplied a Vendée Globe winner and some of the world's most renowned superyachts, new builds and race boats. A + T Instruments, based in Lymington, is marking a decade of success, plus a 30 per cent increase in sales in the last year, with a number of special events. There were celebrations at Palma Boat Show earlier this month with plans for more at METS trade show in Amsterdam and on the motor yacht Rum jungle in Lymington. (Image: A + T Instruments)READ MORE: The gem of a family butchers and farm shop named the best in the South East The firm was founded in 2015 by yacht electronics expert and design engineer Richard Tinley and Cambridge mathematician, oceanographer and race navigator Hugh Agnew, with the mission of producing the best yacht instruments ever made. A+T's range is now used by top race boats including Vendée Globe winner MACIF and other entrants, as well as hundreds of superyachts, big new build yachts and elite race boats worldwide. All A+T equipment, from carbon fibre wind sensors to the brightest and toughest displays on the market, is designed, manufactured and rigorously tested in Lymington and backed up with 24/7 customer support. (Image: A + T Instruments) Richard Tinley said: 'With a wealth of experience over the years in service, design and installation of all makes and types of instrument systems, I was keen to use this knowledge to make my mark in yacht instrumentation. After all, I had seen hundreds of examples of how it shouldn't be done! "Working with Hugh and other experts who use racing instruments for their livelihood, we designed from the ground up, putting in only the best bits. After ten years with the most demanding use on boats across the globe, we are extremely proud that our instruments have proven to stand the test of time." Hugh Agnew added: "It's been a fantastic decade where we've set out to do what we knew we could to fill that gap in the market for exceptional high-end products and customer service. "All of us at A+T are sailors so we understand that shipping parts quickly and technical support is critical to helping a yacht be able to compete in the toughest yacht races going." (Image: A + T Instruments)
Korea Herald
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
BIG BANG NIGHT: KYLIAN MBAPPÉ AND USAIN BOLT JOIN HUBLOT IN THE CELEBRATION OF THE 20 YEARS OF ITS ICONIC MODEL
GENEVA, April 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hublot marked the 20th anniversary of its iconic Big Bang model with a memorable evening and first ever encounter of its ambassadors Kylian Mbappé and Usain Bolt at the Geneva Arena, as part of the Watches & Wonders fair. This unforgettable celebration was a tribute to Hublot's trailblazing spirit and an ode to the brand's "Art of Fusion". Last night, Hublot brought together the international elite of watchmaking, sport, gastronomy and music to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Big Bang, the watch that revolutionised contemporary Swiss watchmaking. The event highlighted the many facets of the world of Hublot, truly sensorial experiences. Chefs and brand ambassadors Anne-Sophie Pic, Clare Smyth, Yannick Alléno, Eneko Atxa and Andreas Caminada boast a combined total of 43 Michelin stars between them; these five culinary masters put on an unprecedented gastronomic performance as they prepared personalised signature dishes created especially for the anniversary. Each chef worked live in their own space, creating culinary delights which were a treat for the guests' eyes and taste buds. Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot, welcomed the guests with a moving speech recounting the Big Bang's two decades of phenomenal success. "Our icon, the Big Bang, has redefined the codes of contemporary watchmaking," he said. "Twenty years on, celebrating its revolutionary mindset, the Big Bang continues to embody the boldness, innovation and pioneering spirit for which Hublot is renowned. It was such an emotional moment to have our Hublot Family united on this unprecedented occasion". The evening continued with a breathtaking performance by master mentalist and friend of the brand, Lior Suchard, who stunned the audience. Among the guests present were a host of Hublot ambassadors and friends, including football champion Kylian Mbappé, the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, professional sailor and 3 times Vendée Globe finisher, Alan Roura, world champion sprinter, Mujinga Kambundji, and head coaches for the France and Portugal football teams Didier Deschamps and Roberto Martinez. The Geneva-born, New York-based DJ, producer and multi-instrumentalist Alissia then ignited the room with a vibrant set. Her unique style, a blend of funk, R&B and pop, set the stage perfectly for the highlight of the event: A performance by Mika. Hublot invited the Lebanese-American-British artist famous for his numerous hits to celebrate this special anniversary, and the star duly delivered a dazzling performance in an electric atmosphere. The party went on until the early hours of the morning, with Alissia returning to the decks for a high-energy DJ set that had guests dancing the night away. A true creative canvas, the Big Bang has set the stage for two decades of breathtaking ingenuity, enabling the introduction of new materials, rethinking traditional mechanical complications and transcending the barriers between watchmaking and art.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BIG BANG NIGHT: KYLIAN MBAPPÉ AND USAIN BOLT JOIN HUBLOT IN THE CELEBRATION OF THE 20 YEARS OF ITS ICONIC MODEL
GENEVA, April 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hublot marked the 20th anniversary of its iconic Big Bang model with a memorable evening and first ever encounter of its ambassadors Kylian Mbappé and Usain Bolt at the Geneva Arena, as part of the Watches & Wonders fair. This unforgettable celebration was a tribute to Hublot's trailblazing spirit and an ode to the brand's "Art of Fusion". Last night, Hublot brought together the international elite of watchmaking, sport, gastronomy and music to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Big Bang, the watch that revolutionised contemporary Swiss watchmaking. The event highlighted the many facets of the world of Hublot, truly sensorial experiences. Chefs and brand ambassadors Anne-Sophie Pic, Clare Smyth, Yannick Alléno, Eneko Atxa and Andreas Caminada boast a combined total of 43 Michelin stars between them; these five culinary masters put on an unprecedented gastronomic performance as they prepared personalised signature dishes created especially for the anniversary. Each chef worked live in their own space, creating culinary delights which were a treat for the guests' eyes and taste buds. Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot, welcomed the guests with a moving speech recounting the Big Bang's two decades of phenomenal success. "Our icon, the Big Bang, has redefined the codes of contemporary watchmaking," he said. "Twenty years on, celebrating its revolutionary mindset, the Big Bang continues to embody the boldness, innovation and pioneering spirit for which Hublot is renowned. It was such an emotional moment to have our Hublot Family united on this unprecedented occasion". The evening continued with a breathtaking performance by master mentalist and friend of the brand, Lior Suchard, who stunned the audience. Among the guests present were a host of Hublot ambassadors and friends, including football champion Kylian Mbappé, the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, professional sailor and 3 times Vendée Globe finisher, Alan Roura, world champion sprinter, Mujinga Kambundji, and head coaches for the France and Portugal football teams Didier Deschamps and Roberto Martinez. The Geneva-born, New York-based DJ, producer and multi-instrumentalist Alissia then ignited the room with a vibrant set. Her unique style, a blend of funk, R&B and pop, set the stage perfectly for the highlight of the event: A performance by Mika. Hublot invited the Lebanese-American-British artist famous for his numerous hits to celebrate this special anniversary, and the star duly delivered a dazzling performance in an electric atmosphere. The party went on until the early hours of the morning, with Alissia returning to the decks for a high-energy DJ set that had guests dancing the night away. A true creative canvas, the Big Bang has set the stage for two decades of breathtaking ingenuity, enabling the introduction of new materials, rethinking traditional mechanical complications and transcending the barriers between watchmaking and art. Photo - - - - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Hublot SA Sign in to access your portfolio
The Guardian
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
France hails a young heroine: Violette, conqueror of the waves
When she set sail around the world from the west coast of France three months ago, Violette Dorange was barely known outside her sport. By the time she returned last week, she was a household name in her country. At 23, Dorange has become the youngest solo sailor to complete the around-the-world race, having spent 90 days, 22 hours and 37 minutes at sea. Her diminutive figure came waving and smiling into the Atlantic port of Les Sables d'Olonne last Sunday, met by thousands of fans, fireworks and hundreds of journalists broadcasting live from speedboats. Coming 25th out of 40 in the Vendée Globe race, Dorange had no idea they were waiting, she told the Observer in her first international interview. 'I didn't expect so many people! I had to do a manoeuvre just before the finish line. I knew all the boats around me were watching. I had to be really focused!' Dorange has been holed up in an Airbnb in central Paris all week, giving interviews and unable to sleep because of the adrenaline. When we met, there she sat cross-legged on an armchair, speaking in a high-pitched tone, surrounded by Krispy Kreme doughnut boxes and bananas. 'All this buzz is crazy,' she said, with her trademark lightbulb grin. Before the race, Dorange, who began sailing at the age of seven, had broken a string of records for being the youngest to achieve various sailing feats – at 15 she crossed the Channel in an Optimist dinghy – and had 10,000 Instagram followers. Cut off from civilisation, apart from a minimum of internet data for calls and messages, Dorange sent videos of solo life at sea to a team who posted them on social media. As the weeks – and icebergs, polar storms, rainbows and albatrosses – went by, she amassed more than a million followers on social media. Children in classrooms across France followed her progress. Viewers saw her highs, such as when she gazed out from 90ft up at the top of her mast as she re-attached a sail that had fallen into the water north of the Falkland Islands. 'The sea is magnificent,' she said in an Instagram post. 'It's both frightening and beautiful. But I'm going to go back down soon.' But they also glimpsed her lows, such as two days later during a sleepless night of violent weather off Brazil when the lashing of her mainsail gave way and crashed into the sea. Climbing her mast for only the second time while sailing solo, but now in 25mph winds and 6ft swells, it took her the whole day to fix. This time there was no video from the top. 'I will never do that again in my life,' she said in a post afterwards, her voice shaking. 'I was so scared.' Through it all, she appeared to keep an extraordinary upbeat calm. Dorange is being hailed as an icon of gen Z, and there are hopes she will inspire young people to reduce scrolling on their phones and head out into the world. Paris Match used its magazine front cover to anoint her 'the new heroine of the French'. One prominent broadcaster called her 'the winner of our hearts', while another told her 'all our children know you'. Dorange sailed under the colours of a youth charity, Apprentis d'Auteuil, for which she has volunteered since 2020. 'I hope to make young people want to go on an adventure,' she said. 'And to challenge themselves to be close to nature.' Sign up to This is Europe The most pressing stories and debates for Europeans – from identity to economics to the environment after newsletter promotion The paradox of sharing her adventures on social media is not lost on her. Her attitude is similar to that of Inès Benazzouz, 23, a French YouTuber known as Inoxtag, who released a two-hour self-made documentary last year about his scaling of Everest. Dubbed into English and Spanish, the film, Kaizen, has been viewed 41 million times. 'We're all annoyed at being addicted [to social media],' Dorange said. 'For three months, I was disconnected. It was a joy. I know it's very hard on land … You have to use social media. But you have to protect yourself.' Trying to explain her popularity, she said she had been making YouTube videos for years. 'I know how to talk to social media,' she said. 'I know how to talk to my community. But nowadays, I don't hide much. Sometimes I say the same things to my sister in a voice note afterwards.' At one point, Dorange was closer to the astronauts in the International Space Station than any human on land. 'I was saying, this is crazy. I'm south of India. I'm south of Japan. I was looking at the map all the time,' she said. She saw 'a lot of plastic' in the South Atlantic, and sargassum, a damaging brown algae that has proliferated in recent years. She discovered how vast Latin America and Africa truly are. After her motor broke, Dorange had only solar panels and propellers in the sea to charge her batteries. 'It worked really well. Maybe in the next Vendée Globe [in 2028], only renewable energies will be allowed,' she said. At the finish, Dorange said she had 15 days of food left. Sleeping in stints of between 20 minutes and an-hour-and-a-half, she had crayons and a notebook to entertain herself – one video showed her rocking around while trying to write – and a mascot in the form of the pig from Moana, the Disney film about a Polynesian teenage girl who sets off across the Pacific on a wooden boat with only a pig for company. 'Now I know what it is to spend three months alone,' Dorange concluded. 'I know what it is to cross the ocean . . . I have seen places.'
