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Skipper Denis Van Weynbergh and the family-owned listed company D’Ieteren Group are joining forces to fly the Belgian flag at the 2024 Vendée Globe. This sporting challenge, which will last two years, is above all a human adventure that the Group intends to promote internationally among its employees.

A passionate and experienced Belgian sailor, Denis Van Weynbergh embarked on the ocean racing adventure more than two decades ago, and has already completed several prestigious races including the famous Route du Rhum, the Transat Jacques Vabre and the Rolex Fastnet Race.

His next challenge: the legendary Vendée Globe, a solitary, uninterrupted, and without assistance round-the-world sailing race. The journey begins and ends in the French port of Les Sables d’Olonne. Considered to be the world’s most challenging sailing race, it has yet to see a Belgian skipper crossing the finish line.

Having found a solid partner in D’Ieteren Group, he will now have to take part in all the IMOCA races in order to qualify to compete in the 2024 Vendée Globe. A full programme with four transatlantic races and number of side races will take place over the next two seasons.

Denis Van Weynbergh: “My team and I are particularly happy and honoured that a Belgian family group of international scope has become our main partner. A Vendée Globe project is first and foremost a business project. To win a place at the starting line, you have to build a solid model on land. D’Ieteren Group has given us the financial backing that gives us the peace of mind and confidence to achieve our goal”.

Convinced as much by the project as by the person pursuing it, D’Ieteren Group has found in this partnership an opportunity to promote the values it holds dear.
Nicolas D’Ieteren, Chairman of D’Ieteren Group: “We were impressed and convinced by Denis’ human and professional qualities. His courage, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit echo our Group’s values. We are proud to support him throughout this adventure and we look forward to sharing this exciting project with all our people”.

© Eloi Stichelbaut - polaRYSE / IMOCA

The Group also shares Denis Van Weynbergh’s social and environmental commitment. The sailor prefers short supply chains and recycling equipment to the greatest extent possible rather than purchasing new parts. His philosophy goes hand in hand with one of the pillars of the environmental approach of the Group and its companies, notably PHE and TVH, both active in the distribution and reconditioning of spare parts, or Belron, the parent company of Carglass, which favours repairing windscreen whenever possible instead of replacing it.

Denis Van Weynbergh applies this circular economy principle to every choice he makes, starting with his boat, a 2013 IMOCA 60 that has already competed in the Vendée Globe. The boat is currently being upgraded to boost its reliability and performance. Its racing name will become “D’Ieteren Group” for the next two years.

The D’Ieteren Group will also associate a charitable approach to its sponsorship.