La dimension logistique du Nautic – Salon de la Fédération des Industries Nautiques organisé par Reed Expositions est toujours impressionnante, notamment l’entrée des grands multicoques sur leurs remorques hydrauliques, basculant au-dessus des feux rouges et des abris bus… C’est le tout premier rendez-vous des bateaux avec Paris, qui annonce comme chaque année l’ouverture imminente du Salon.
Les premiers convois, portant notamment les spectaculaires et nouveaux catamarans Lagoon et Fountaine-Pajot sont attendus à partir de 21h30 mardi 27 novembre au soir, Porte d’Orléans. Après Denfert-Rochereau, ils emprunteront le Boulevard Raspail, puis le Boulevard du Montparnasse avant de redescendre vers la Porte de Versailles par la rue Lecourbe.
Les plus grands bateaux débarquent les premiers à Paris, suivis chaque nuit jusqu’au 5 décembre par le reste de la flotte de près de 800 bateaux exposés au Nautic 2012.
In addition to the many new models and world premieres unveiled at Nautic Paris Boat Show 2012, visitors will be able to discover several exceptional boats exclusively displayed : France 1, the first French sailing yacht to take on the America’s Cup, restored to its original splendour, and Groupama 4, the winner of the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race, which will be displayed on the forecourt of Pavilion 1 at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre, from 8th to 16th December 2012.
The leading gathering for French ocean racing, Nautic pays tribute to these legendary sailing vessels, while remaining focused on current events with the installation of the Vendée Globe command centre in the aisles of Pavilion 1. Visitors can also discover as well numerous special events, some proposed by the exhibitors, others by the show organiser.
Exhibition of the France 1 – Pavilion 1
Listed as an historical monument, France 1 is the first non-Anglo-Saxon boat to have taken on the America’s Cup thanks to the passion of Baron Bich, who did not hesitate to challenge the biggest American and British tycoons in an attempt to win the world’s oldest sports trophy. Remarkably built in three-ply mahogany by Egger in the French department of Doubs, on plans by André Mauric, the naval architect of the famous PenDuick 6, France 1 was so successful that it participated in three challenges: 1970, 1974 and 1977.
Exhibition of the Groupama 4 – Forecourt 1
Another monument, this one quite contemporary, Groupama 4 has just won the Volvo Ocean Race, the famous round-the-world event with a crew formed around Franck Cammas. Here again, it took a considerable amount of work, humility, daring and tenacity to win against the cream of international crewed yacht racing teams. Nothing was obvious or easy, but the French continued to progress through the legs of the race, unable to avoid a traumatising dismasting, they never gave up, asserting themselves brilliantly at the end of the race. Designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian, the famous Franco-Argentine naval architect, and built at Multiplast in Vannes, Groupama 4 is undoubtedly the most innovative sailing yacht of the race, enabling the French to prevail in an international event dominated for decades by the Anglo-Saxons. Following their round-the-world sporting accolade, the boat and her exceptional crew will be accessible to the public for the first time at the Paris–Porte de Versailles exhibition centre.
Handling a Jeep® – Forecourt
Another new event, the famous Jeep® is offering trailer manoeuvring workshops on the pavilion forecourt. It might seem obvious, but calmly backing a boat into the water down a sometimes slippery slipway requires some tricks and tips that specialist instructors will be providing to visitors.
Le Spot – Pavilion 1
With MACIF, which is backing the young François Gabart in the Vendée Globe this year, “Nautic’s Spot” will again be the place for meeting and experiencing surf sports. New for 2012, a “2.0” windlass installed in the pool at the “Nautic’s Spot” will allow the public to learn how to use a wakeboard, in partnership with the FFSNW (Fédération Française de Ski Nautique et de Wakeboard). The 400 m² pool will also offer the opportunity to learn other board and surf sports (e.g. SUP, canoeing/kayaking, Optimist, windsurfing, etc.)
On the occasion of the ‘Soirée de la Glisse’, initiated by Riders Match, on Saturday 8 December from 5pm to 6pm, the finest surf sports videos of the moment will be projected on a giant screen with a number of professionals and champions in attendance.
The following day, the second round of the cross Paris stand-up-paddle competition – Nautic SUP Paris Crossing – will stir up the pool at the “Nautic’s Spot” for the “man-to-man” events. The best of the 200 registered participants in the 1st round will compete in an attempt to inscribe their name on the list of winners in one of the largest events worldwide.
And throughout the days of the show, MACIF instructors are holding demonstrations in deploying life rafts, automatic lifejackets and systems for locating men overboard. The “Nautic’s Spot” will thus continue to be a very lively place, when it comes to both safety and surf sports.
The Vendée Globe… Live from Nautic !
The sports news this winter being dominated by the Vendée Globe, and the race setting up its command centre in the Pavilion 1, daily live radio contact time with the “Vendée” skippers will also contribute much to the liveliness of the show.
Come set sail at Nautic, taste the flavour of adventure, share the greatest challenges and exploits of our time.
The Nautic Main Stage – Pavilion 1
Every day on the show’s large main stage, Scène Nautic, visitors can watch presentations, award ceremonies, and events such as film screenings of Groupama around the world, the FFVoile, the awarding of the Prix du Top Club FFVoile, the Traditional Yacht of the Year Award, the Nautic Photo Competition, the presentation of the route for the Tour de France à la Voile, the ‘Day of 1,000 Sailors’, to mention but a few… Each morning during the show, the schedule of events to be held on the Scène Nautic will be updated at the press office, as well as on the show website: www.salonnautiqueparis.com.
The Nautic Book Prize – Scène Nautic (Main Stage)
For this new edition of the “Prix du livre Maritime”, L’Express magazine and Nautic have joined with Côté Ouest to award the finest works dedicated to the sea. Launched in 2011, this new prize awards authors for their point of view, their investment, their contribution to the development of maritime heritage, and above all for the passion they convey.
Covering travel, heritage, history, fine arts, trades, water sports…the panel of judges will choose the year’s finest book. Chaired by Michel Desjoyeaux the panel is composed of personalities from the sea world such as: Nathalie Bigaignon, Secretary General of the French Nautical Industries Federation (FIN); Nathalie Beauvais, Chef from the restaurant Au Jardin Gourmand in Lorient; Pierre-Yves Lautrou, reporter at L’Express and author of the blog ‘Au Large’; Pierre Marcel, filmmaker; Alain Niderlinder, curator at the Musée National de la Marine and Violaine de Saint-Vaulry, Managing Editor of Maisons Côté Ouest and Maisons Côté Est. L’Express magazine, Nautic and Côté Ouest will put all their editorial and media resources at the service of the selection chosen for 2012: check in L’Express on a regular basis, as well as Lire, the cultural portal of L’Express.fr and also on cotemaison.fr. The Nautic book prize Prix du Livre Maritime 2012 will be awarded on Friday 14 December on the main stage Scène Nautic starting 4.00 pm.
Aisles dedicated to Sustainable Development – Pavilion 1
As is the case every year, and with the support of the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, Nautic is gathering in Pavilion 1 innovations, products and technologies that were designed out of a concern for preserving resources and protecting the environment. Even if it is difficult to imagine a more environmentally-friendly mode of propulsion than the sail and that yachtsmen are among the leading players in protecting their environment, the imagination and dynamism of the boat industry are always striving to do better. This year several electric boats will be presented as well as innovative hull protection systems, and solutions for recycling old boats.
The Skipper’s Technical Workshop – Pavilion 1
Ocean-going yachtsmen will be able to take advantage of the show to test their skills by participating in “The Skipper’s Technical Workshop” with specialist sailor trainers thanks to Sail The World. The opportunity to ask all their questions on subjects as varied as diesel mechanics, on-board data systems, sail making, energy on board, the weather, safety at sea, and medical emergencies.
Nautic Virtual Challenge – Pavilion 1
This year again, you will be able to find Nautic on the Net thanks to the Nautic Virtual Challenge in partnership with Virtual Regatta. Players will have a month to race from 16 November to 16 December and compete during the “Inshore” regattas for 6 players.
Ten-minute races in real conditions, where all the elements are important: wind, the behaviour of the boat, ISAF rules… Each day, 3 regattas are open to each of the players.
Visitors will be able to discover or perfect their virtual sailing technique at the Virtual Regatta stand throughout the days of the boat show – Pavilion1.
New Maritima Sector – Pavilion 2.1
New this year, Pavilion 2.1 is hosting the section dedicated to Maritima, the gathering for all trade professionals in the maritime industry, from 12th to 15th December.
Scale Models and Model Making – Pavilion 2.1
Close to the Equipment section and Maritima, the model making and scale models section will once again be setting up a “ventilated” pool for sailing scale models. Visitors will be able to try out the latest new boats there, and exhibitors can compete in fierce races every day.
High Tech & Sea Section – Pavilion 2.1
Inside Pavilion 2.1 dedicated to Equipment, the High Tech & SEA exhibition space is a showcase for promoting trendy products from the world of boating and water sports and the great high-tech innovations of the moment. This exhibition space is not only a venue for discovering new technologies, but also a friendly meeting place equipped with Wi-Fi access.