America's Cup World Series - Good day for Groupama Team France

by Vincent Borde on 26 Jul 2015 2015 America's Cup World Series - Such was Franck Cammas’ conclusion after this first day of racing in the ACWS in Portsmouth. Fourth in an overall ranking dominated by British team BAR, ahead of Team New Zealand and Oracle Team USA, Groupama Team France put up a creditable performance for France, notably outpacing the Japanese and Swedish teams.

Though by definition each race is unique, the very first one contested in a series, especially one like the America’s Cup circuit, is memorable. In the early hours of this morning, in a glorious sunshine that played hide-and-seek with the clouds, Groupama Team France is buzzing. In the technical base in Portsmouth, Olivier de Kersauson and Michel Desjoyeaux come to support Franck Cammas and his crew. During the weather and strategy briefing hosted by Bertrand Pacé, various scenarios with regards to the start phases and mark roundings are analysed. One by one, Arnaud Psarofaghis the tactician and Thierry Fouchier, who trims the wing, as well as bowman Devan Le Bihan, share their experience.

Next up, clad in their gladiator-style outfits, the five sailors head to their foiling catamaran moored on the side of the channel alongside the Swedish boat, Artémis. Without even taking the time to hoist the jib, Franck Cammas pulls on the helm to make for the race zone. Totally adhering to the safety instructions and the zone reserved for the world’s six best teams, the mass of spectator boats keep clear to let the AC45s through. As the British team pass by, cheers can be heard far and wide. Along the seafront, the huge public audience make the most of the lovely weather conditions to come out an offer their support to the local hero, a four-time Olympic champion.

At 13:45pm on the dot, Ian Murray, President of the Race Committee, launches the start procedure for the first race in a westerly wind of around a dozen knots. Posting a solid start, Groupama Team France is promptly covered by several boats and rounds the first mark in fifth position, ahead of the Swedes on Artémis. Unfortunately for the French crew, a poor reading of the wind strength causes them to opt for the wrong sail on the first downwind section. Off the pace, they cross the finish line in last place.

The second race of the day proves to be a lot more favourable to the French team. Getting off to another good start, opting for the right tacks, Groupama Team France jockey for position at the head of the fleet with Emirates Team New Zealand, that is until a small technical issue during the gennaker hoist enables the local of the leg, Ben Ainslie, to overtake the French team on the line: “Out of politeness for the British, we let them pass us, but we won’t be polite everyday,” stated Franck Cammas on his return to the dock.

Asked about the team’s performance today, the skipper continued: “It’s been a very, very good day with some good weather conditions, a great battle on the water and a big crowd on shore. We would have liked to have sailed more races given how much we have to learn. That said it’s through making mistakes like we did today that you progress. In the second race, we fought well at the start with Oracle and then with TNZ during the rest of the race”.

Happy and smiley as he passed through the mixed zone reserved for the press, the French skipper continued his analysis: “The standard is excellent. That’s what we were expecting and that’s why the slightest error causes you to lose a lot of ground. However, we have the ability and the level to race well. We just need to put up as consistent a performance as possible. On an individual level, we have the talent and the experience, but that’s not yet the case when we’re all together, so we’re still falling into the traps you need to be quick to avoid”.

On the dock, the seafront and the streets of Portsmouth, the British public are obviously lauding the performance of their champion. Meantime, in the more muffled universe of the teams and the reception areas, the French crew’s ability to sail on the offensive, particularly in the start phases, is much appreciated and commented.

Finally, everyone is hoping that the weather conditions will enable the six crews to race tomorrow. However, with a southerly wind of between 20 and 30 knots forecast in the gusts and an upper limit of 25 knots outlined in the rules, it’s not a done deal.

Provisional overall ranking after the first two races

1/ Land Rover BAR with 19 points
2/ Emirates Team New Zealand with 18 points
3/ Oracle Team USA with 16 points
4/ Groupama Team France with 13 points
5/ Softbank Team Japan with 13 points
6/ Artemis Racing with 11 points