Groupama Team France

April 25, 2016 By Jack Griffin

Franck Cammas to Helm Groupama Team France in NYC

Groupama Team France - 35th America's Cup — Franck Cammas training for New York. Notice the carbon fiber custom leg brace on his right leg. Image: Groupama Team France

Only five months after almost losing his right foot in a training accident, Franck Cammas will be back on the helm of the French boat for the America’s Cup World Series in New York on May 7-8. Rehab has been fast but painful: “Racing in New York will punctuate five extremely intense months and a rehabilitation programme, which I’ve tried my best to control. I focused on the positives the minute I learnt that my foot had been saved. From that point, I gave my all to my rehabilitation and the other team-related activities. I think this approach got me into a virtuous circle, which favoured my recuperation. However, it’s important not to lose sight of the tough times where the pain really called for me to grit my teeth. I put myself in the red in a bid to recover as quickly as possible. When you’re aware that the group is in training and progressing and you can’t be part of all that it’s frustrating and inevitably led to tension at times. I had to get back to the top of my game, which took a great deal of effort and self-sacrifice. Today, I’m still cautious when it comes to jumping on the trampoline, but I’m more motivated than ever and I’m happy to be in a position to face up to the competition with a talented crew. I’ve missed the competition environment. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Adam Minoprio, who fulfilled his role as replacement to perfection in Oman. It was a very positive experience for the whole team.”

As for the conditions in New York, Cammas said, “In New York, in May, there can be a little thermal breeze, but above all there will be a lot of current off the Statue of Liberty. The East River and the Hudson River converge here so there can be as much as three knots of current. We’ll have to know how to play that to our advantage.”

The crew of Groupama Team France in New York from 5 to 8 May 2016
Helmsman / skipper : Franck Cammas
Wing trimmer : Thierry Fouchier
Tactics : Thomas Le Breton
Headsail trimmer : Hervé Cunningham
Bowman : Devan Le Bihan
Replacement : Olivier Herledant

March 14, 2016 By Jack Griffin

Franck Cammas Back on the Water

Thanks to gritty determination, extensive physical therapy and a custom carbon fiber ankle brace, Franck Cammas got back on his AC45F in Oman in the week after the America’s Cup World Series. The gentle conditions were perfect for Franck’s first days on the water in three months. He still cannot jump around the boat, but it’s great to see him making a strong recovery after almost losing his foot when he went overboard while training in late November and was hit by the rudder wing. Read about the accident here.

See the Groupama Team France video report from Oman here.

March 1, 2016 By Jack Griffin

Groupama Team France denies Oracle the win

Watch the video of incidents between Oracle and Team France at the windward gate in Races 4 and 6 in Oman. In each case they lost one place.

Oracle Team USA finished two points behind Land Rover BAR. Did this incident at the windward mark in Race 4 cost them the regatta? If they had come in fourth instead of fifth in Race 4, they would have had equal points to BAR and would have won on the count back.

In Race 6 Team France passed Oracle to take the lead at Gate 3. France went on to win – their first race win in the ACWS.

March 1, 2016 By Jack Griffin

Land Rover BAR Wins in Oman

Ben Ainslie and his team showed grit and tenacity to win the Oman stop on the America’s Cup World Series. After getting a third and two firsts in Saturday’s races, they had poor starts in all three double points races on Sunday, including two OCS* penalties. On Sunday they were in last place at the first mark in each race but clawed their way back to finish those races 2-4-3 to win the regatta. With this win they become the first team to win two ACWS events.

*OCS = on course side, meaning they crossed the starting line before the starting signal. The penalty is to drop two boat lengths behind all the boats that started correctly.

February 28, 2016 By Jack Griffin

Land Rover BAR wins America’s Cup World Series Oman

Groupama Team France Denies Oracle the Win

BAR at America's Cup World Series Oman — Land Rover BAR at America’s Cup World Series Oman

*OCS = on course side, meaning they crossed the starting line before the starting signal. The penalty is to drop two boat lengths behind all the boats that started correctly.

Groupama Team France Denies Oracle the Win

Watch the video of incidents between Oracle and Team France at the windward gate in Races 4 and 6 in Oman. In each case Oracle lost one place. Since the Sunday races score double points, finishing one place higher either in race would have given Oracle two more points, equal to BAR.

In Race 6 France passed Oracle at the last gate, and Artemis snagged the anchor line on a mark, dropping them to last place in the race and in the regatta. Watch the action in this video.

Oracle finished only two points behind Land Rover BAR. If they had finished fourth instead of fifth in the first race on Sunday, or if they had hung on to the lead in the last race, they would have won the regatta.

America's Cup World Series Oman results — America’s Cup World Series Oman results

Emirates Team New Zealand still leads the overall America’s Cup World Series

Uncharacteristically last in one race and next to last in another, ETNZ still managed to be on the podium for the event and to maintain their overall lead in the America’s Cup World Series. Winning the first race of each day pushed them into third place in Oman. They maintain a six point lead over Oracle in the series.