Franck Cammas and GC32 Norauto to race at stage 2 of GC32 Racing Tour

by Norauto Press on 6 Jul 2016 Over 80 different types of boats and boards will be in Malcesine and ten GC32 catamarans will race against each other from Thursday to Sunday on the second stage of the GC32 Racing Tour. Norauto team, led by Franck Cammas, who won the Riva Cup which took place a bit further north on the lake at the end of May, looks forward to competing in what promises to be a stunning event.

Whether it be on one or two hulls, with a windsurf or a kiteboard, the foiling sailors have found the perfect spot. GC32s, Flying Phanthoms, Moths, Kitefoils, Windfalls; they will all be there at the Malcalsine Sailing Club together with a few ambitious one-off prototype designs.

In terms of foiling boats, Franck Cammas has already sailed a Moth, a Flying Phantom and twice won the Little Cup (little America’s Cup) in a Class C. But here, in Malcesine he changes discipline once again. The Groupama Team France skipper is preparing for the 35th America’s Cup (Bermuda 2017) which will use a foiling catamaran with wingsail; the GC32 is therefore an integral part of the training in the build up to the competition.

“We are in Malcesine hoping for a good result on the GC32 Racing Tour and we will have more precious hours of sailing with the team looking ahead to the Cup. We have been sailing here since last Thursday, that gives us a full week of training before the event. Adam Minoprio* has been alternating his days on the mainsail with Thierry Fouchier. His profile and experience helps with our communication and progression”, says Franck Cammas.

Malcesine is located a few kilometres south of Riva so the sailing conditions are somewhat different: “Normally, there is a bit less wind on this part of the lake. Sailing will be even and close, so it should make for fun racing.”

Foiling boats are everywhere! France is also currently preparing for the America’s Cup getting ready for the launch of an exceptional boat.

Groupama Team France, of which Norauto is an official partner, is due to unveil the new AC Class test catamaran (45 foot) on Monday 11th July at 18:30 at their base in Lorient. This is the result of thousands of hours of work and is very similar to the AC Class catamaran that will be raced next year in Bermuda; this boat will be the test boat for the French team for the next few months.

Foiling Week GC32 programme
Wednesday 6th July: training, 17:30 press conference and opening ceremony
Thursday 7th July: 13:00-18:00 up to six races (weather dependant)
Friday 8th July: 13:00-18:00 up to six races (weather dependant)
Saturday 9th July: Long distance race and short races
Sunday 10th July: up to six races and prize giving at 17:00

Team Norauto at Malcesine
Franck Cammas
Hervé Cunningham
Thierry Fouchier
Devan Le Bihan
Thomas le Breton
Adam Minoprio

Provisional ranking of GC32 Racing Tour 2016 after the Riva Cup
1- Norauto (FRA) F.Cammas - One point
2- Team TILT (SUI) F.Marazzi - Three points
3- ARMIN STROM Sailing Team (SUI) F.Marazzi - Three points
4- Gunvor Sailing (SWE) G.Petterson - Four points
5- Team Engie (FRA) S.Rogues - Five points
6- Spindrift racing (FRA) Y.Guichard - Six points
7- ARGO (USA) J.Caroll - Seven points
8- MALIZIA- YC Monaco (MON) P.Casiraghi - Eight points
9- ORANGE Racing (NED) Laurent Lenne - Nine points

10 competitors are signed up for Malcesine: Spindrift Racing will be absent from this event; the Japanese team Mamma Aiuto! and Realteam from Switzerland will make their first appearance on the circuit.