Airbus Secure Communications is a proud supporter and communications provider of the Panerai Transat Classique 2019 race – the only classic sailing race to cross the Atlantic.
Expected to take around 3 weeks to complete, the 3,000 mile long course which started in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, on the 8th January and finishes at the Caribbean island of St Kitts, is set to see back winds of around 20-30 knots (40-60km) as 15 teams battle it out to cross the finish line.
Gregoire Asse, Product Manager for L-Band carriers and terminals at Airbus Secure Communications, is taking part in the race and is one of six teammates on board the Stiren, a 15ft classic sailing boat.
The last time Gregoire crossed the Atlantic was more than 25 years ago. He told us, “I wanted to cross the Atlantic again in a race and what better way to do it than in a classic boat. This will be my sixth time crossing the Atlantic, but first in a classic vessel".
On-board the boat are two Airbus Secure Communications products; the Iridium Extreme 9575 phone and SUVISTA app.
The Iridium works alongside an installed docking station on board the vessel to receive and send emails via a dedicated email application, as well as doubling up as a phone, allowing crew members to contact family throughout the race. It also allows the team to collect weather forecast information to ensure they follow the best route.
When talking about the Iridium Extreme 9575 Gregoire said: “I chose this specific Iridium model for the race because there is an SOS button incorporated into the design. The Iridium integrates with a tracking service, and when the button is pressed, our position is revealed, simplifying our rescue.”
The tracking service also creates a route on SUVISTA, a new platform that allows customers to trace their trackers anywhere in the world.
Currently used by the French Navy, SUVISTA tracking beacons are fitted to the boat to allow organisers to track the vessel and be on hand should a problem occur.
When speaking about the race, Gregoire said: “It will be a very strong competition between everyone but I believe we’ve got it in us to win”.
We wish Gregoire and his team good luck and will be following his journey throughout the race.
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