ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami - Challenges limited for Groupama

by Groupama Sailing Team on 2 Feb 2015 At the 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami in Key Biscayne for the Nacra 17 Medal Race, the wind had got its breath back, ranging between 15 and 20 knots, more sometimes in the gusts. For Franck Cammas and Sophie de Turckheim, the challenges were limited: one possible place to gain, three to lose. In the end, the Groupama duo finished eighth, tied on points with another French crew, Vaireaux - Audinet, and Franck Cammas gives us a very positive review of this first event of the season contested in breezy conditions in Florida.

With a year to go until the selection rounds for the Olympic Games in Rio 2016, the first event of the Sailing World Cup 2015 was far from trivial for the French crews in the running. Franck and Sophie were keen to prove that the work carried out last year, both on a technical and physical level, was of benefit. Some seven kilos heavier and also more experienced in the breeze, the Groupama duo was anxious to get things back on an even keel after a rather disappointing World Championship 2014 in Santander.

Getting off to a relatively poor start with an 18th place after the first three races, as each day passed they managed to get things back on track to ultimately qualify for the Medal Race in seventh place.

Contested in breezy conditions, the final race of the day for the top ten was played out on the first tack: 'We got off to a very good start at the committee boat and were flat out on starboard. Unfortunately for us, conditions were more favourable on the other side. At the first windward mark, the ranking had been decided,' explains the skipper of Groupama.

Eighth in the race and eighth overall, Cammas nevertheless has a very positive assessment of the past week of racing: 'Sophie and I have rediscovered our enthusiasm for sailing together and we're in a good phase with a view to the selection rounds for the Games. We still have three kilos to put on and we'll be at the ideal weight. After that, it's all down to practice, especially in breezy conditions. We still have improvements to make in terms of our technical ease with better observing the race zone. However, we're already very happy as we've got closer to the top players with regards speed and in these conditions, the racing is getting easier'.

These breezy conditions are something Franck and Sophie will rediscover this coming Tuesday in Clearwater, Florida, where they'll continue their American tour with a training session and a little regatta on the 2016 World Championship site, which will serve as the selection venue for the Rio Games: 'The first American results are very positive. We have a lot more confidence outside the conditions that suit us best. Finishing eighth in the World Cup in breezy conditions is very motivating. We're going to grab our chance because we're aware we can do it,' concludes the skipper of Groupama.
And then what?

Overall ranking in the Sailing World Cup in Miami 2015:
1. Vittorio Bissaro/Silvia Sicouri
2. Ben Saxton/Nicola Groves
3. Billy Besson/Marie Riou
4. Mandy Mulder/Coen de Koning
5. Gemma Jones/Jason Saunders
6. Renee Groeneveld/Steven Krol
7. Moana Vaireaux/Manon Audinet
8. Franck Cammas/Sophie de Turckheim
9. Fernando Echávarri/Tara Pacheco
10. Enrique Figueroa/Franchesca Ortega