At noon on Wednesday 25 September, Robert Crauste, Mayor of Le Grau-du-Roi, cut the ribbon to officially open the departure village for the MED MAX I Occitanie - Saïdia Resorts, in Port-Camargue. In attendance were Laurence Barduca-Fauquet, councillor for the Gard département, representing the president of the Gard département, Françoise Laurent-Périgot, Patrice Canayer, regional councillor, representing the president of the Occitanie region, Carole Delga ; Kirmane Hassani, director of communications for the Société de développement de Saïdia, Omar Elalaoui, director of the Saïdia marina, Sébastien Mellado, director of communications for Banque populaire du Sud, Philippe Malagola, director of the port of Sète, who then greeted the skippers one by one. And of course Kito de Pavant. And a large public who had come to watch the launch of five days of festivities, entertainment, conferences and shows in the heart of Europe's largest yachting harbour. All the way to the start of the first edition, on 29 September at 13:00, which will see sixteen Class 40s and nine Ocean Fifties cross the Mediterranean to Morocco.

Robert Crauste: " We dreamt about it, Kito did it. We've been waiting a long time for a race like this, and it's a source of pride that it's leaving from Grau du Roi Port Camargue. I'd like to thank Kito for his spirit and infectious passion. I wish all these skippers fair winds, and may Poseidon and Eole be kind to them. Long live the MedMax, hoist it high! "

Laurence Barduca-Fauquet : "Thanks to Kito and Christophe Carniel for taking up the challenge. Thank you to them for shining a light on the Gard department, which is also a seafaring region, with a penchant for the sea. Thank you to the skippers for taking our dreams with them. Far away.

Patrice Canayer: " The Region needs men and women like you, Kito. With your commitment and your determination. I often say that sport is not an end in itself. This ocean race is an example of that, bringing people together.

Kirmane Hassani: "This MedMax is a great opportunity to showcase our marina, our region and our culture. I'm already saying to the skippers: welcome to our place, we're going to give you a welcome just like we know how".

Sébastien Mellado: "Banque Populaire is also the bank for sport, and we've just supported the Olympic Games. We are just as proud to support Kito in this great adventure. In fact, the Olympic torch will soon be on display on our stand in the village.

Kito de Pavant : "I've had this photo, this image, in front of me for ten years. I'd like to thank all our partners, but especially our Moroccan friends who were the first to believe in this story. I would also like to thank Christophe Carniel, who initiated this relationship with Morocco. Now, enjoy this rare moment.