Almost ten years ago, François Hollande received François Gabart at the Élysée Palace to present him with a Legion of Honor rewarding the victory of the "Little Prince" in the Vendée Globe in 2013. The two men met this Wednesday on the pontoons in Saint-Malo before the big start of the Route du Rhum on Sunday.
François Gabart is no longer, as he was at the helm of an Imoca, but at the controls of a huge trimaran, the SVR Lazartique being among the favorites for the win.
The former President of the Republic, who took the time to take a few selfies with the visitors under a beautiful sun, boarded the boat with the skipper from Charente as a guide, before going to visit other Ultimes, Class 40 or Ocean Fifty, supported by the foundation of which he is president, La France s'engage.
François Hollande attentive to the explanations of François Gabart.
LOIC VENANCE / AFP
Another head of state, in office, this one, is expected Sunday for the kickoff of the race, at 1:02 p.m.
Ouest France has revealed that Emmanuel Macron should board the Navy frigate but it is not expected that he will start.
Never has a President of the Republic gone to Saint-Malo for the opening of the famous event.
It will therefore be a great first even if Édouard Balladur, in 1994, had traveled to see the boats heading for Guadeloupe.