After being shockingly dropped by sponsor Banque Populaire, french sailor Clarisse Crémer will return to sailing with a new team and a new sponsor to pursue her Vendée Globe 2024 ambitions.

The 33-year-old Parisian has confirmed she will be joined by new title sponsor L’OCCITANE en Provence and British skipper and Vendée Globe veteran Alex Thomson, who will manage her bid to return to the iconic single handed round the world yacht race.

“I am particularly happy and proud to be able to start this new adventure with L’OCCITANE en Provence,” says Crémer. “I have had the Vendée Globe 2024 in mind since I last rounded the Cape of Good Hope and it is a privilege to have them by my side to pursue this challenge.

“These last few months have been intense, sometimes hard, but I will always be grateful to all those who have believed in me and who have enabled me, year after year, to progress and take part in the major events in ocean racing.”

Clarisse Crémer

Crémer will be sailing on the former Apivia yacht recently acquired by Alex Thomson Racing after the IMOCA 60 was put on the market by Banque Populaire following the team’s withdrawal from the next Vendée Globe due to the controversy over dropping Crémer after she gave birth to her daughter in November 2022.

“Today I’m focused on the future: it’s a great joy to have an extraordinary boat and a great team to accompany me in this adventure, and I can’t wait to get back to sailing,” continues Crémer.

“The Vendée Globe starting line is still a long way off and there are still many challenges to be faced, but I am putting all my energy into the success of this project to prove that with desire, determination and the right partners, we can make society, companies and sport more equitable.”

Adrien Geiger, managing director of L’OCCITANE en Provence comments: “We are very proud to support Clarisse Crémer, a true role model for the new generations, and to help her accomplish her sporting and human adventure. 

“We have decided to join forces to promote women’s leadership in sailing, a competitive world that is still largely male. Indeed, we make it a point of honour to support all women in their personal and professional projects. Clarisse’s struggle to combine her role as a mother with her career aspirations is that of many women.”

In his role as team principal, Thomson, who has taken part in five Vendée Globe races and twice finished on the podium, is committed to supporting and bringing together all the skills needed to build a successful campaign. He says: “Clarisse is one of the most talented sailors in ocean racing and she deserves to be at the start of the Vendée Globe next year. 

“My team and I are delighted that L’OCCITANE en Provence will support Clarisse for the Vendée Globe. We want to prove to the world that becoming a mother doesn’t change who you are as an athlete. We intend to provide Clarisse with all the tools that will enable her to compete with equity.”

A time trial has now begun in order to shape the technical team, take charge of the boat, confirm the competition calendar and start the mileage race, to qualify for the next Vendée Globe which starts 10 November 2024.  

Clarisse Crémer and Alex Thomson. Image Credit: PKC-MEDIA

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