America’s offshore race, The Atlantic Cup, starts in 100 days! Race prep is getting busier and busier with each day and the 2020 race is shaping up to have one of the largest fleets in race history! We're excited to welcome two new teams to the Atlantic Cup! Offshore sailing Legend Kito de Pavant will race onboard his Class40 #142 Made in Midi and Morgane Ursault-Poupon will race on #30 UP-Sailing. Stay tuned, we have that more teams to announce in the coming weeks too!
Hugh Piggin, Race Director, said, "The 2020 Atlantic Cup is looking like it will be both the largest and most competitive fleet in Atlantic Cup history. 2018 Champions Catherine Pourre and Pietro Luciani on Eärendil will be looking to defend their title, but they'll have to perform well against Vendée Globe entrants, Solitaire du Figaro winners and some of America's most promising talent. With three very different legs, the Atlantic Cup is a challenge to that of what most offshore shorthanded sailors are used to, and it's always exciting to watch!" #142 - Made in Midi
With no fewer than three participations in the Vendée Globe, a victory in both the Transat AG2R and the infamous Solitaire du Figaro, you’d not be surprised that Kito de Pavant is one of France’s most recognizable sailors. In addition to the above, he’s competed in 3 Route du Rhums and 10 editions of the Transat Jacques Vabre.
His Class40 #142 MADEINMIDI designed by Guillaume Verdier and built in 2014 is quick. Kito will be competing in The Transat prior to the Atlantic Cup so be sure to follow his progress has he races to Charleston!
Boat Name: MADE IN MIDI
Port of Registry: Sete, France
Builder: BG Racing
Designer: Guillaume Verdier
Source of Energy Production: Hydro-generator #30 - UP Sailing
Born in May 1986, it is no surprise that Morgane Ursault-Poupon stumbled across the sport of short-handed offshore sailing as 1986 was also the year her father won the Route du Rhum! Now campaigning her own Class40, Morgane finished the Route du Rhum in 27th place and more recently the Transat Jacques Vabre in 20th! For those with eagle eyes it's not the first time #30 has competed in the Atlantic Cup. We last saw her in 2012 when campaigned by Rob Windsor and Emma Creighton!
Boat Name: UP Sailing
Home Port: Lorient
Year Built: 2007
Builder:CMI
Designer: Simon Rogers
Source of Energy: Solar