GC32 Racing Tour – Team Engie heads to Act 4

by Sébastien Rogues on 21 Sep 2016 The penultimate stage of the 2016 GC32 Racing Tour is already here for Team ENGIE. The fleet of hydro-foiling GC32 catamarans will meet again in Andalusia (Spain) for the fourth stage of the circuit, from Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th September.

Sotogrande, which is located some 25 km from Gibraltar, looks to be a tricky course for the GC32s. Over four days the seven crews competing in this circuit will again provide us with a stunning and intense show. But before the event kicks-off, the teams are busy organising themselves in order to be ready for the big day. Team ENGIE are heading to the south of Spain for a weekend of thrilling competition and new experiences.

Flawless logistics

Dismantling, storage, transportation, removal, reassembly, assembly, words are not enough to describe the mountain of work that Team ENGIE’s men behind the scenes take on before, during and after each event. A meticulously planned procedure that allows the crew to have the best machine and the best resources possible on the starting line. Aboard ENGIE’s shipping container, there are two catamaran hulls, connecting beams, the mast, boom, workshop, spare parts, boat and crew equipment along with the RIB which is needed for the safety of the boat on the water, and which is essential for this highly technical discipline.

“We couldn’t perform without the perfect fit of logistics and our sport. The behind the scenes part of our GC32 Team is inseparable from our work on the water. Our two technical assistants, Julien Granger, as a perfect conductor, accompanied by Martin Piquet, allow us to sail calmly without ever feeling anxious about the reliability of our boat. Team ENGIE is represented by eleven people in total. The role of our nutritionist Violaine Fontenea is equally important. Throughout the various stages, she takes care of us and 'calorically' prepares us for sailing the GC32, and the resulting fluctuations in energy expenditure”, admitted Sébastien Rogues, skipper of the ENGIE’s GC32.

This small group, whose main objective is to allow the crew to sail well and achieve the best possible results, is thoroughly integrated and key to overall team performance. 'During the events we all live together. The atmosphere in the team must be perfect in order to be relaxed on the water. Team ENGIE is built around people who know their job perfectly and who give 150% to the success of this project”, concluded the team’s skipper from La Baule.

Coaching for better progress

With the arrival of Bertrand Dumortier as Team ENGIE’s coach for the final two acts of the season, Sébastien Rogues will place the odds on his side to achieve his goal: to finish in the top half in the overall rankings. A finish that will immediately result in a behavioural analysis of the boat and the crew.

'We have three days before the start of the competition to analyse the speed and the trajectory of the boat. I will also have to understand how the team works in order to try to bring my vision to the crew. Decision making on board is paramount to evolve well as a team and to be able to win races. Not trying to show off in front of the big teams. Team ENGIE has the means to reach their ambitions and we will work in this direction”, commented Bertrand Dumortier. As part of the French Sailing Federation, the national coach, Bertrand knows perfectly this role and already had the opportunity to meet Team ENGIE at the Marseille stage of the event in October 2015. Bertrand has just returned from the Olympics in Rio and has extensive experience in one-design, dinghies and the foiling Moth class (small dinghies) which he also works on.

On Thursday, the first regatta will set the tone of this new confrontation between the very best in the discipline, while the tricky waters of Sotogrande may undermine the team’s strategies due to the strong currents and varying winds.

GC32 Racing Tour overall standings (after three events)
1 - Norauto, 4 points
2 - Team Tilt, 6 points
3 - Armin Strom Sailing Team, 11 points
4 - Argo, 16 points
5 - Gunvor Sailing, 16 points
6 - Malizia Yacht Club de Monaco, 17 points
7 - Team ENGIE, 21 points
8 - Mamma Aiuto, 23 points
9 - Realteam, 26 points
10 - Spindrift racing, 28 points
11 - Orange Racing, 29 points