French open the dance: it’s challenge for next America’s Cup

Michel Desjoyeaux, Olivier de Kersauson and Franck Cammas, three French names are rocking the waters of the upcoming America’s Cup. During the Paris Boat Show, the French challenge was announced. to the prestigious trophy: the best of transalpine excellence, united under the lofty name of the Yacht Club de France, will try to bring the Hundred Guineas Cup to France by challenging Oracle, the Australians, Luna Rossa, the Swedes of Artemis and probably Team New Zealand, which is expected to lift its reservation about its participation early next year, as soon as the face of the new Cup, dictated by the Americans, is known. A project, the French one, which was born a year ago and will go to the likes of Groupama, Canal Plus and perhaps Sodebo, the sponsor of Thomas Coville, Cammas’ right-hand man at the last Volvo Ocean Race.

THE WORDS OF FRANCK CAMMAS
Franck Cammas presented the initiative this way during the press conference, “I am proud to present this new project, which I hope will take us far. A year ago I announced here at the Salon my goal to participate in the America’s Cup. Since then my project has been going on. To meet this challenge we need to focus on the strengths of each person involved. This is why I wanted Michel Desjoyeaux and Olivier de Kersauson on the team. Put together, the three of us sailed all the oceans of the globe aboard a dozen or so boats. Our desire is a solid team capable of winning. We want to be able to pull out a performance worthy of the name. The multihull is a popular form of sailing in France. And although the America’s Cup is the toughest regatta in the whole world to win, we have all the cards to try.”

MULTIHULLS HAVE ALWAYS SPOKEN FRENCH

Michel Desjoyeaux, on the other hand, told of his involvement with the team this way : “The America’s Cup has always had a special appeal for me, even when I was sailing solo. The reason is that I am a technology enthusiast, and this regatta brings together a colossal amount of resources and expertise from this field. The goal of the game is to unite cultures and histories. When Franck came to see me to involve me in the project, I did not hesitate for a second. We have known each other for almost 20 years. The same applies to Olivier de Kersauson. We want the best. It is true that we have three different strong personalities, but we have a common goal and that is the main thing.” And finally the words of Olivier de Kersauson: “To build a project like this, we need the best intelligences and synergies. In the past I have attended a large number of America’s Cups. The top crews who participated had all accrued a good level in offshore competitions. In France we have great expertise in this area. I will try to bring my personal experience, and if we can combine all the good elements we have, it will be fun.” Multihulls basically have always spoken French.