Vendée Globe skippers at the Elysée Palace
by Vendée Globe media 8 Apr 2013 20:52 BST
8 April 2013
The President of the French Republic received all of the Vendée Globe skippers at the Elysée Palace © Vincent Curutchet / DPPI
Monday, April 8 at 12:30 pm, the President of the French Republic received all of the Vendée Globe skippers and handed on this occasion the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur insignia to François Gabart, winner of this year edition.
For Bruno Retailleau, President of the SAEM Vendée and present at the Elysée today: "The ceremony was a great way to enhance the sporting and human values of exceptional men and women. The audacity and the dream they gave take every single French people in their wake".
This recognition of the highest authorities of the State also shows the success and influence of the Vendée Globe. The Vendée Globe is at the top of the French sporting heritage and is one of the few events that make France pride internationally. It is an element of national pride that the Vendée is pleased to have been able to create.