Le Défi arrives in Valencia

by Courtesy Cup in Europe on 2 Jul 2004 (source: Le Défi)

After an intense period assembling FRA 69, Le Défi Challenge has finally had chance to retest its boat on the Valencian waters.

In a newly repainted red livery, the former bright-yellow boat was back on the water for the first time since last year's campaign, sharing Valencia's waters with the Luna Rossa Challenge.

For the last three weeks the shore crew had been preparing the boat for sailing.

The French champion and skipper of Le Defi, Philippe Presti, said crew members will spend about ten hours a day on the waters off Valencia's coast. He expects they will head out about 7:30 a.m. every morning and return by early evening.

Sailing team:

- Jean Marie DAURIS (FRA, Le Défi 2003)

- Florent CHASTEL (FRA, Le Défi 2003 selection/Catamaran Orange)

- Pierre 'Tara' MASSE (FRA, Le Défi 2000 & 2003)

- Christophe ANDRE (FRA, Le Défi 2003 selection/Match Race)

- Xavier HUSSON (FRA, Le Défi 1992 & 1995)

- Erwan VANNIER (FRA, Le Défi 2003)

- Eric COULON (FRA, Le Défi 1995)

- Fred LEMAISTRE (FRA, Le Défi 2003)

- Christian SCHERRER (SUI, Alinghi)

- Thierry BRIEND (FRA, Le Défi 2003/Trimaran
Foncia)

- Antoine BREGER (FRA, sélection Le Défi 2003/Match Race)

- Philippe TOUET (FRA, Le Défi 1995)

- Fred GUILMIN (FRA, Le Défi 2003/Match Race/Olympics)

- Franck CITEAU (FRA, Le Défi 2000 /Olympics/ Formule 18)

- Dimitri DERUELLE (FRA, Match Race/ Tour Voile/ Olympics 49er)

- Philippe PRESTI (FRA, Le Défi 2003/match Race/Olympics)

- Marcel Van TRIEST (NED, Le Défi 2000/Volvo Ocean Race)

- Philippe MOURNIAC (FRA, Le Défi 2003/Match Race/ Voile Olympique)

- Bjorn DUNKERBECK (ESP, Professional Fun boarder)
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