Extreme Sailing Series 2014, Act seven, Nice - Unrewarded

by Groupama sailing team on 6 Oct 2014 Extreme Sailing Series 2014, Act seven, Nice - Ninth on the overall leaderboard topped by the Swiss team on Alinghi and compatriot Realstone, Franck Cammas and his crew have nothing to be ashamed of from this result. Indeed, ultimately there were very few points separating what is a top-flight competition comprising the world's elite. Never before in the six events disputed in Singapore, Oman, Qingdao, Saint Petersburg, Cardiff and Istanbul, have the races been so hotly contested and the deficits as small as they have been in Nice.

The author of a solid final day of racing in Nice, Groupama 40 lost any chance of finishing on the podium during the final double-point scoring race, where they secured an eighth place which bore little resemblance of the progress made by the crew. That's just how things can pan out though on this type of circuit, no matter whether or not the Race Committee launches a start with a wind veering 50° in the start procedure: there is a timing to be respected and it's down to the sailors to adapt to it.

Sadly for Groupama 40, blocked in at the start, this final decider proved to be a sour note on which to conclude the past four days of often well negotiated racing: 'It's frustrating to end like that on a twisted race. However, what I will take away from this is that we're constantly improving and we're capable of winning races. We are also more consistent, even if that's not evident in the ranking. I'd also like to congratulate my crew as the guys put up a great performance. We manoeuvred very well and often sailed some solid legs. The atmosphere on-board was both relaxed and focused,' comments the skipper of Groupama.

At ease in terms of pure speed, particularly when sailing downwind, Groupama 40 often managed to move back up through the fleet, picking off their opponents during the race despite the small course: 'We are more opportunistic than before and that paid off' Franck Cammas explains.

A single regret: 'Since the start of the season, the majority of the races have been run in light airs, whilst we're naturally more at ease in breezy conditions. With a bit of luck, there will be more breeze in Sydney in December with which to round off the championship. That would enable us to move up a few places in the overall ranking,' adds the skipper, who remains confident of the abilities of Groupama sailing team: 'We knew that this season in the Extreme 40 would be tough against such top-flight teams who essentially devote themselves to these types of races, contrary to us. However, I'm happy as we're progressing well, we're learning a lot and that was one of our objectives'.

See you in Australia then in two months' time for the final race of the 2014 championship. In the meantime, the skipper of Groupama will be competing in the Groupama Race in New Caledonia, the St Barth Cata Cup in the Nacra and lastly the final of the World Nacra 17 Cup in Abu Dhabi. A busy schedule, fleshed out by a weekend in Saint Malo to go and cheer on certain competitors hoping to take over his Route du Rhum champion title.

Overall ranking for the Extreme Sailing Series in Nice:
1 . Alingi 183 points
2 . Realteam by Realstone 171 points
3 . J.P.Morgan BAR 161 points
4 . Red Bull Sailing Team 160 points
5 . Emirates Team New Zealand 156 points
6 . GAC Pindar 146 points
7 . SAP Extreme Sailing Team 145 points
8 . Groupama sailing team 143 points
9 . The Wave, Muscat 143 points
10 . Oman Air 138 points
11 . Gazprom Team Russia 133 Event website