Paris – URGO, a leading French healthcare group which specialises in advanced dressings and bandages for wound care and family medication, and OC Sport Pen Duick, experts in the organisation of ocean races, are proud to announce today that URGO has become the Title Partner of the world’s leading annual solo sailing race, La Solitaire du Figaro, for the next three editions (2017-2019).
The 48th edition of the race, which is known as the unofficial world championship of solo offshore sailing, will set sail on 4 June 2017 from Bordeaux under a new name, La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro.
A new logo, a new visual identity, and a new website (www.lasolitaire-urgo.com) are being unveiled for the occasion.
URGO became an Official Partner of the race in 2016, and will go a step further over the next three years, reinforcing its commitment as Title Partner.
Hervé Le Lous, President of URGO Group commented: “After the remarkable 2016 edition that the skippers have just given us, this choice seemed an obvious one. Taking part in this prestigious professional sailing competition is a source of great pride for URGO and our staff, and is a unique opportunity to support a sporting event that arouses a great deal of interest.”
La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro is a 2,000 mile solo ocean race, that in 2017 will consist of four legs. It is the ultimate annual sailing endurance race, which brings only the very best single-handed offshore sailors to its start line.
Pierre Moustial, Managing Director of URGO Group, added: “We are very pleased to be associated with La Solitaire du Figaro. The values embodied by sailing such as bravery, tenacity, and determination are values that we share. This partnership also represents an excellent vehicle for promoting the innovative projects of URGO Group, in wound treatment, wound-heating, compression, and also family medication or connected healthcare.”
For URGO, the extreme conditions of La Solitaire du Figaro are a perfect environment in which to test and develop its healthcare products in areas such as adhesiveness, antifriction and pain relief.
URGO will supply its products to the solo skippers, conduct campaigns with the general public in the Race Villages, and involve local healthcare professionals at the various stages of the race.
In 2016, URGO Group launched a self-adhesive strip for stopping bleeding, “SOS Cuts”, designed in the shape of a lifebelt.
URGO will benefit from the expertise and experience of OC Sport Pen Duick, a major player in professional sailing, both in France and internationally. Mathieu Sarrot, Events Director at OC Sport Pen Duick commented: “Firstly, I would like to thank Eric Bompard Cachemire, which stood alongside us for five years as title partner and enabled us to make the race grow.
“After a year as Official Partner in 2016, we are delighted to have URGO Group on board La Solitaire as Title Partner. We can find many parallels between La Solitaire and URGO Group. URGO continuously seeks to innovate in its sector while our sport is continuously evolving, and thereby serving yachting and sailing generally.
“The partnership with URGO Group will enable us to develop the event up to 2019 when a new one-design boat will be introduced – the Figaro Bénéteau 3, created by the Figaro class and by boatbuilders Bénéteau. 2019 will mark the 50th anniversary of the race, and we are thrilled to share that journey with URGO,” Sarot concluded.
La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro will set sail on 4 June 2017 from Bordeaux.
About URGO Group
With over 3100 employees, URGO Group is present in over 50 countries and on all distribution segments, from hospitals to pharmacies. It generated a turnover of 620 million euros (+8%) in 2015 and is investing thoroughly in its internal R&D and in external partnerships for developing innovation. URGO Group also created a start-up entity, UrgoTech, developing pioneering expertise in areas shaping the future of the healthcare sector (biofeedback, virtual reality, phototherapy…). Every day, the group works closely with healthcare professionals to advance knowledge, treatments and management of wounds and has succeeded in developing a sound portfolio of very well-known brands (Juvamine, Alvityl, GoVital, Sonalto, Herbesan, Super Diet, Humer, Humex, Ricqlès, Urgo, Mercurochrome…).
About OC Sport Pen Duick
OC Sport Pen Duick is the French subsidiary of OC Sport, a global sports marketing and event management company specialising in professional sailing and outdoor events. Operating globally from bases in the UK, France, Switzerland, China and the USA, OC Sport is an award-winning event management company and rights holder. It manages competitive teams and provides consultancy to global brands, host venues and other event organisers.
Born out of the merger between the companies OC Sport and Pen Duick, OC Sport Pen Duick is steeped in the history and culture of some of sailings most emblematic figures including Eric Tabarly, Dame Ellen MacArthur, and Mark Turner. The merger between the two companies, under the impetus of the Télégramme Group (majority shareholder), continues to embody the spirit and values that fired those founding pioneers: enjoying and sharing unique experiences with the sailors, the general public, the media, and the partners.
About The Solitaire URGO Le Figaro
Founded in 1970, The Solitaire URGO le Figaro is a single-handed sailing race taking place over four stages on Figaro Bénéteau 2 boats. Known as the unofficial world championship of solo offshore racing, the annual race attracts the very best single-handed skippers. The 2017 edition of La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro will be held from 4 June to early July. It will start from Bordeaux.
