America's Cup - Groupama Team France launch their AC50 in Bermuda

by Groupama Team France on 14 Mar 2017 Groupama Team France became the sixth and final team to launch their AC50 from the Royal Dockyard, Bermuda on Monday, local time.


In an intimate “unofficial” celebration, Elise Bakhoum christened the yacht Groupama Team France in traditional French fashion at Dockyard yesterday.

As the only woman on Groupama Team France’s shore team, she poured the champagne over the bow, as the French do, rather than breaking the bottle.

Much of the champagne sprayed the team as they cheered when she popped the cork. What was left, she poured on the bow of the portside hull.

Bakhoum wished the yacht good luck in Bermuda waters as she stood on a Royal Dockyard bollard to splash the bubbly up on the deck. Women always christen ships for good luck and safe voyages. She wished the yacht and her team “Bon Courage” with a broad smile.

A short time later, Groupama Team France launched their America’s Cup Class entry in the competition. All of the AC Class 50 foot catamarans have now been launched, five in Bermuda’s Great Sound. The sixth, the “Lone Wolf” named New Zealand was launched in Auckland.

For the full report from Talbot Wilson writing in the Royal Gazette click here