A recent interview with Franck Cammas showed both his Gallic charm and his fierce determination to be competitive in the 2017 America’s Cup.
How’s your French?
Watch the interview (in French) and read my partial transcript / translation here.
Interviewer Yves Calvi: “There’s something that I like about you – I’d say, like the americans – you’re obsessed by winning. That’s far from de Coubertin, who said the important thing is to participate. Does that mean anything to you?”
Franck Cammas: “Sure, but I think rewards are worth the effort of giving yourself everything you need to win. Lots of people can get to the starting line, but for us, the difference is we want to win, to finish ahead of the others. That’s the pleasure – not to beat the others but to have done well what we set out to do.”
At about 5:20, when Calvi asks what his goal is now, Cammas explains how he has set and reached goals and that he now has his sights set on the America’s Cup.
Franck Cammas:
“Each goal attained has been a dream. For my first Figaro, I dreamed of getting to the start. Then I dreamed of winning it and I won. My next dream is to compete in the America’s Cup… It’s marvellous and at the same time it’s very difficult. You need money but above all you need good people. I’m with Desjoyeaux and de Kersauson. We’ve got a strong desire to compete together under the French banner to show that the French can be very, very competitive in this type of competition. I’m convinced of it.”