Only 30 days left to decide whether France will be represented in the upcoming America’s Cup, held in July 2013 in San Francisco. As for the Challenger, ENERGY TEAM led by Loïck and Bruno Peyron is fully prepared and over the past year has raised itself up to the highest standard, with an amazing victory in Venice last month. But they are still missing the needed backing. In other words the support of one or more firms that are brave enough to join this French challenge in the world’s most prominent sailing competition.
Energy Team competing in Venice © Stéphanie Billarant / Energy team
Next week, Loïck Peyron and his crew will be attempting to confirm their success in Newport at the final leg of the 2011-2012 season of the America’s Cup World Series. Loïck and Bruno Peyron speaks about the state of play with a few days to go the start of racing and with one month left until the deadline runs out for registering for the America’s Cup.
Bruno Peyron: “A year ago, we set up the ENERGY TEAM challenge with the aim of bringing everything together to conquer the America’s Cup. Racing for the first time on a multihull, France is well placed to take up this incredible challenge, thanks to its technological expertise and wide knowledge of this type of boat. After a year of intense work, training and racing at the highest standard, ENERGY TEAM has achieved everything it set out to do and our win in Venice puts us right up there with the top teams. Representing the Yacht Club de France, we have become increasingly confident that our team is capable of reaching the highest level and our agreement with the Defender, ORACLE Team USA means we will have at our disposal one of the best multihulls for the qualifying phase (Louis Vuitton Cup).”
America's Cup World Series Venice 2012 - Final Race Day © Gilles Martin-Raget / ACEA
“But we have 30 days left, before knowing whether we will be taking part or not. This will be the moment of truth for us, as to be there in San Francisco in July 2013, ENERGY TEAM needs to complete its budget and start work in September on the construction of its maxi-multihull Having achieved such a high level of performance in terms of racing, technology and marketing, we know that our project represents an unprecedented opportunity for a group or a business willing to join us and take advantage of all the coverage around the world that will result from France competing in the 34th America’s Cup. Next week, Loïck and his crew will once again be attempting to show in Newport that our team has what it takes to succeed in this amazing challenge.”
Newport: Energy Team defending their place on the podium
After an incredible performance in Venice, the crew of ENERGY TEAM will be attempting to repeat their success at the final event of the AC45 World Series 2011-2012 in Newport, from 28th June to 1st July. ENERGY TEAM will be defending their place on the podium, while attempting to make further gains, as Loïck Peyron, who will once again be at the helm of the French AC45, explains.
Loïck Peyron: “We’re currently in third place in the fleet racing championship and fourth overall. So, we’ll be trying to stay up there on the fleet racing podium. But looking beyond the simple result, the aim is to continue to make progress once again, as we prepare for next season. Next week in Newport, Yann Guichard will be working as our coach and I’ll be at the helm. We’ll be back with the same crew that did so remarkably well in Venice: Arnaud Psarofaghis as wing trimmer, Devan Le Bihan on the foredeck, Arnaud Jarlegan headsail trimmer and Christophe André as bowman. They have been sailing well since our win in Venice: our little Swiss friend (Arnaud Psarofaghis) has just won the Bol d’Or on a D35 and the rest of the crew has been training with Yann…”
Energy Team with trophy from Venice © Stéphanie Billarant / Energy team
“As we get ready to do battle in this event, let’s not forget that just one year ago, we knew nothing of the boat or the event… and that after five legs, we can clearly see that our hard work has paid off, particularly in terms of how well the crew works together, which is of course, a vital factor in this type of racing. I would say more than ever that we are ready!”
