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Kitesurf

The values of kitesurfing, a fast-growing sport which draws its energy from the power of the wind, are similar to those of ENGIE when it comes to developing green energies to enable businesses, local authorities and private individuals to be supplied with electricity guaranteed to come from 100% renewable energy sources.

ENGIE has been a back of kitesurfing in France since 2008. The Group’s support takes the form of partnerships with two federations: the FFVL and the FFVoile.

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As an official partner of the French Federation of Free Flight (FFVL) since 2008, the Group is committed to promoting free flight sports and supporting the development of their practice in France, including a CSR (handikite) version. In addition to the various practices of kite, the sports of Free Flight are for example paragliding, hang-gliding, kite flying, boomerang.

Since 2017, ENGIE has been a partner of the France Kite Foil championships organized by the French Sailing Federation (FFVoile).

The Group is proud to have Alex Caizergues, four-time kite speed world champion and current holder of the world speed record for kitesurfing with an average speed of 107.3 km/h over 500m, as an Ambassador for promoting the sport. This support of kitesurfing for over ten years also reflects the Group’s policy with regard to sport sponsorship, with sustainable support based on loyalty, a desire to contribute to developing practice of the sport and excellence at the elite level.

ENGIE also promotes the development of handikite (kitesurfing for athletes with disability) and the practice of kitesurfing at all levels, whether young talents participating in national competitions or the general public.

The ENGIE Kite Tour 2020
 

For the twelfth year in succession, ENGIE is the Title Sponsor of the main Speed Crossing circuit in France, known as the ENGIE Kite Tour. Created in 2004 by FFVL (French Kitesurfing Federation), this event has in just a few years become the major event for the best French kitesurfers and represents the biggest competition to promote kitesurfing and its practice by the greatest number of people in France. Since 2019, the circuit has been jointly organized by FFVOILE (French Sailing Federation) and ENGIE.

The circuit has expanded this year with an additional stage, bringing the total to 5. Each stage of the ENGIE Kite Tour 2020 will be the scene for a sports spectacular, moving from beach to beach on the French coast:
 

  • Arcachon (March 13 to 15)
  • Wimereux (June 12 to 14)
  • Lorient-Gâvres (June 26 to 28)
  • La Grande Motte (September 25 to 27)
  • Hyères (from 9 to 11 October)
     

Large crowds of avid spectators will come into contact with the top French athletes in the sport, including Alexia Fancelli, who finished 3rd at the 2018 world championships in Aarhus, Poema Newland, silver medalist at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, and Anais Mai Des Jardins. Four of the world’s best kitesurfers will also be taking part: Axel Mazella, World Gold Cup champion and European Formula Kite champion 2019, Nicolas Parlier, two-time Formula Kite world champion, Théo de Ramecourt and Maxime Nocher, current French champion… as well as, obviously, speed record holder Alex Caizergues.

You can keep up-to-date with all the news of the competition on the official ENGIE Kite Tour website.
 

World record for Alexandre Caizergues

 

At Salt and Speed, organized in November 2017 at the Salin-de-Giraud site at Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône in the South of France, kitesurfer Alexandre Caizergues, who has been sponsored by ENGIE since 2010, was hoping for a good weather window that would give him a chance of beating his own world speed record for kitesurfing.

 

On Monday, November 13, 2017, Alex Caizergues set a new world record of 57.97 knots over 500 meters, equivalent to 107.36 km/h, beating his own previous record, set back in 2013, of 56.62 knots, equivalent to 104.8 km/h).

The French kitesurfer, a four-time world champion, has made yet another piece of history in his sport. Back in 2010, Alex Caizergues was the first man to sail at a speed of over 100 km/h.
 

French Windfoil and Kitefoil championships

 

ENGIE was also sponsor of the French Kitefoil, Windfoil and Kitefreestyle championships, which were held from August 26 to 30, 2019 at Port-Leucate, in south-western France. The titles of Men’s and Women’s French champions are decided annually at this event.

 

The Group will once again be sponsor of the French championships in 2020. They will be held once again at Port-Leucate, from August 24 to 27, 2020.