[Source: Franck Cammas - Groupama] The year has kicked off with a bang for Franck Cammas and Groupama sailing team. By asserting themselves in the French Match Racing championship in Antibes, against the sport’s local specialist, François Brenac, the adopted Breton, Cammas, has added another specialism and a brand new title to his list of victories.
Contacted by telephone, the Groupama skipper couldn’t disguise his delight: “It’s a nice surprise as the other crews are more familiar with this discipline than we are. We just kept on improving, particularly during the repechages, gaining access to the quarter finals by beating Christophe Château in a series of races that went right to the wire”.
Supported by Erwan Israël, Devan Le Bihan and Christophe André, Franck Cammas selected a highly professional crew: “We’ve been sailing together for several weeks, with the focus on preparing for the Tour de France à la Voile. As such we know each other very well, we manoeuvre well and the atmosphere aboard is very good”.
Nothing can stop Franck Cammas!
Pretty bulky compared with the other crews, Cammas and his team made the most of the solid breeze on the last day to qualify for the final “against a very promising youngster who’s sailing really well”, Arthur Herreman.
During Sunday afternoon’s final, Groupama sailing team took the win in three races straight: “In the first race, we were behind but Brenac fluffed up two manoeuvres, which enabled us to get past him. In the last two, we opted to sail properly, without worrying too much about what our adversary was doing. Our manoeuvring is smooth, we put in some good tacks and we’re ahead at the finish as a result”.
All too aware of the work still left to do before they are able to worry the top international crews, Franck Cammas is savouring the moment and takes this opportunity to thank the French Sailing Federation and the Antibes Yacht Club: “This championship doesn’t receive a great deal of media coverage, but it is very well organised and the atmosphere is really nice”.
When asked what his next stage of match racing will entail, the reigning French champion smiles and asks another question in response: “The America’s Cup?”
March 18th, 2013 at 6:23 pm
Not surprising.. is it? Go Groupama!
March 18th, 2013 at 7:33 pm
One detail: Franck Cammas was clearly asked “what his next stage of match racing will entail”, but, if he were thinking of join the 35th America`s Cup, the only thing he would need is a good designer to design him a really fast AC72. That`s it.
Now, if he wishes to join a match race circuit, then something like the Alpari World Match Racing Tour would be the perfect fit for him.
Sheer speed is not match racing. Just to be clear.
Best regards,
Cristián Palau.
March 21st, 2013 at 12:04 am
Assuming the AC72 will be used in the 35th AC… I doubt it very strongly, they are the wrong boat for these financially tough times! You’ll never see another on built after this AC. I would bet my house on it…
March 21st, 2013 at 8:34 am
@Cristián A. Palau C
“Sheer speed is not match racing. Just to be clear”
Really, because the last few cup in Version 5 boats was all down to match racing skills?
I cant possibly understand why those teams spent millions in trying to get 0.1 of a knot faster if they didn’t think it would help!?
Be realistic, AC has always about who had the fastest boat, same with Volvo same with TP52 or any class.. As they say speed makes you a tactical genius!
This cup is no different, its just the relative speed differences will be more noticeable!
GBR1
March 22nd, 2013 at 12:01 am
GBR1,
First of all, thanks a lot for your comment.
Second, my point, on my previous post, was that in match racing, in order to cross the finish line first, you need to use tactics, strategy, to fight for the favoured side of the course, etc. and not only to have a fast boat.
On the opposite side, with the AC72, all that matters is to cross the starting line first, sail the course as fast as possible, and that`s it. No tactics, no strategy, no nothing. Just to be the fastest AC72 on the course.
As for the events you mentioned (Volvo, TP52, etc.) you not only need to have a fast boat, but also need to know how to handle weather conditions, strategy (to sail in the dark of the night), tactics, etc. in order to go from point A to point B (from one port to another). That`s for the Volvo.
As for the TP52, you are right that you need to have a fast boat, but that`s not all. For the coastal races that each regatta used to have (at least during the MedCup races they did), you also need to have tactics, strategy, etc.
So, my friend, I hope that this small clarification helps to explain my previous comment on the last post I did (Sheer speed is not match racing. Just to be clear).
My pleasure talking with you!!
Best regards,
Cristián Palau