First of all, let’s remember that during the last edition of the America’s Cup, in March 2021 in Auckland (Editor’s note: victory for Team New Zealand against the Italians of Luna Rossa), there was no French challenge. In 2024 in Barcelona, the 37th edition will still be contested on AC75s but each challenge will also have to have an A40, a reduced version which will be used by women and young sailors.
Four challengers have already registered: Ineos Brittania (GBR), American Magic (USA), Alinghi Red Bull Racing (Switzerland) and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (Italy). The closing date for registrations is set for July 31, 2022, but the French sent their registration file last May.
Kandler writes…
For several weeks, there have been some warning signs. First clue: Stéphane Kandler, present for years on the racing circuits (IMS, One Ton Cup, K-Challenge, America’s Cup in Valence in 2007) posts an unequivocal message on LinkedIn: “Sometimes you have to know how to wait the right time to leave”. And Kandler said he wanted to “win four trophies”, including the America’s Cup and the SailGP circuit.
…Cammas regains his freedom
Second clue: in mid-May, Franck Cammas announced on Instagram his departure from the Gitana team: “In order to be able to take up other challenges that have always driven me”. Cammas, 49, has never hidden that he wanted to return to the Cup. His first and only attempt, in Bermuda in 2017 with Groupama, left him with a taste of too little.
It remains to be seen the exact role that the Aixois (probably responsible for performance) will play in this new challenge, the management of which will be provided by Bruno Dubois, current Team manager of France SailGP but who has worked with Franck Cammas on the Coupe de the America in 2017. The two men get along very well.
The Olympics change course
Third clue: the 180° changes of course of the “Olympics”, starting with the Vannetais Quentin Delapierre (1), who announced on May 3 that he was giving up his lifelong Grall, the 2024 Olympics in France, for devote himself to the SailGP circuit where he already officiates as helmsman of the French F50. In the aftermath, Kevin Peponnet, helmsman of the 470 mixed with Aloïse Retornaz, announces that he is stopping the 470, also for the SailGP. Even if the private circuit of billionaire Larry Ellison pays very well, we suspect that these two sailors have set sail on the sly for the America’s Cup. That’s it for men.
Remains the essential on the Cup, the money.
We know that the Kandler-Dubois pair has found investors. Enough to mount a challenge that holds water. “It’s now been a year since we brought together an incredible group to present ourselves on the starting line with the best French team of all time,” said Stéphane Kandler on LinkedIn.
The official announcement should fall this month.
(1): 8th in the Tokyo Olympics in Nacra 17 with Manon Audinet.
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