Extreme Sailing Series - An enjoyable experience for Groupama 40

by Groupama Sailing Team on 27 Aug 2014 Ninth in the overall ranking in the fifth stage of the Extreme Sailing Series in Cardiff, the skipper of Groupama 40 gives us a positive analysis of its participation against some of the best sailors on the sailing planet. Second in the ranking on the fourth and final day of racing, the French crew's efforts are rewarded after having to repair their boat, which was damaged during a port/starboard incident.

Sport in general and sailing in particular are unique in making those who practise it at the top level feel humble. In the Extreme Sailing Series, this is played out time and again, with Cardiff being no exception to the rule: 'It's really a very close-run thing. There's only very little separating the competitors. In the leading group on the first day, the Danish team on SAP finished seventh. And when you see Team New Zealand and Dean Barker finish behind you, which I reckoned had sailed consistently, you realise that things happen very fast and that there's really very little separating us all,' commented the skipper of Groupama.

Second in the ranking on the final day, as much as a result of the races themselves as the quality of the starts, (analysis by SAP), Franck Cammas and his crew lost their smile a little after a poor start and a port/starboard incident where the Australians on GAC Pindar were at fault: 'This violent collision, the energy spent on repairing the damage as well as the fact that it was impossible for us to race the following day, broke our stride. Fortunately, we responded well on the final day. We had nothing to lose. As such we were more aggressive on the water and got off to some good starts. We only messed up on a single race, which would have enabled us to move up three places in the overall ranking. No matter though, we've finished on a high and that's what's important,' Franck continues, adding: 'There was also a little more wind than on previous days. In such conditions, we are more at ease in the transition phases, the accelerations and at the helm. I have a better feel for the boat.'

Ninth in Cardiff, tenth in the overall ranking, Groupama 40 will have to make the most of the next stage in Istanbul, Turkey, from 11 to 14 September, to snatch back some points. It's an exercise, in which Franck Cammas won't be able to participate, as he'll be competing in the World Nacra 17 Championships in Santander, Spain, during the same period. In his absence, Tanguy Cariou will take up the role of skipper and François Morvan, a match racing and catamaran specialist, will be at the helm.

The crew of Groupama 40:

Franck Cammas: helmsman and skipper
Tanguy Cariou: tactician
Thierry Fouchier: trimmer
Devan Le Bihan: bowman and trimmer
Romain Motteau: trimmer

Overall ranking in Cardiff:

1. The Wave, Muscat , 210 points
2. Alinghi, 205 points
3. J.P. Morgan BAR, 203 points
4. Red Bull Sailing Team, 186 points
5. Realteam by Realstone, 182 points
6. Oman Air, 175 points
7. SAP Extreme Sailing Team, 174 points
8. Gazprom Team Russia, 154 points
9. Groupama sailing team, 154 points
10. GAC Pindar, 153 points
11. Emirates Team New Zealand, 151 points