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X-Yachting 2013
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130 x-yachting 2013 b ased on the iconic
french
riviera, x-yachts
france
was established in 1991 and for the next two decades was owned by the three founders of the danish company: niels and lars jeppesen, and birger hansen. this was unusual, as all other x-yachts dealership are independent companies, but due to the fact that
french
yacht dealerships are up against deeply entrenched home-grown names. “the reason was primarily the particularities of the
french
market where we face hard competition from
french
manufacturers who have an extremely developed dealer’s organisation,” explains
chalant
, who was appointed in 2009.
chalant
’s strategy for dealing with both the tough global financial conditions and unique local market included restructuring x-yachts
france
and extending its coverage by appointing additional agents in other regions. in 2011, once this process was completed, x-yachts
france
also became an independent company, in line with all other x-yachts distributors. “we are proud to have made our company successful and profitable the first year it became independent, despite a sluggish economy, political uncertainties and harsh competition,”
chalant
reports.
chalant
has worked in the marine industry for almost 20 years, t he x-yachts
france
offices are based in port grimaud, just a mile from saint tropez. “port grimaud is the village the architect françois spoerry created in 1966,” explains
chalant
. “it was a visionary and ambitious project with a ‘lake-dwelling’ city. today grimaud is one of the most frequented places of
france
with 12kms of quays lined with gardens and fishermen’s houses. it’s a real contemporary architectural success.” the region is at the heart of the
french
mediterranean sailing community, hosting prominent regattas such as the giraglia-rolex cup in june, and the voiles de saint tropez late september, while also being the venue for some of
france
’s most stunning cruising grounds. the team’s personal favourites include cannes and its two islands of île sainte-marguerite and the île saint-honorat, just a stone’s throw from la croisette, the glamorous town’s famous boulevard. for those seeking a more ‘back to nature’ experience, they suggest the ‘golden islands’ of port cros and porquerolles which are protected as a national park, in the stunning sailing ground of îles d’hyères. yacht owners who enjoy eating away the bluewater miles will find the 100-mile trip to corsica’s north western coast very rewarding, with the island’s unique aromas, wild landscape and transparent waters. there is more dramatic coastline near marseille, where the steep inlets known as “calanques” are formed in the cliffs. destination riviera... photo: palais des festivals et des congrès de cannes the xp44 magician racing in la semaine de porquerolles with
french
actor and guest star charles berling on board.
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