Défi des Barj’s Race: crews arrive in Principality

© Direction de la Communication - Michael Alesi

The crews taking part in the Défi des Barj’s Race arrived at Port Hercule on Sunday 17 June at 11.55 am after a 36-hour crossing between Ile Rousse and the Principality. 

The aim of this sporting feat was to raise money for Le Rocher du Cœur, a charity established in 2013 by two Palace Guards, Bernard Boucher and Laurent Bouin, and Les Enfants de Frankie, another charity, set up by Francien Giraudi in 1997.

These two organisations work hard to answer calls for help from disadvantaged or sick children, taking them out of hospital and giving them a chance to forget about their suffering and enjoy a moment of escape and delight. 

This was the third race of its kind, following events in 2014 (32-hour crossing from Ile Rousse to Cros-de-Cagnes) and 2016 (95-hour crossing from Rome to Monaco). 

It is worth noting that the crews rowed boats that were previously used as rescue vessels. At 7.30 metres long and weighing 750 kg, they were operated by six rowers and a cox. 

The funds raised will be presented to the two charities soon, in the presence of the sponsors who made this latest Défi des Barj’s Race possible.