A super-maxi yacht for Team French Spirit

[Source: Team French spirit] The probability to see the 33rd America’s Cup being a multi-challenger event is now on everybody’s mind (the dispute between Alinghi and Oracle is still pending, following an ultimate appeal at the US Supreme Court) while, in all likelihood, the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series will take place next February in Auckland. Meanwhile, Team French Spirit is making steady progress with its preparation.

FRENCH SPIRIT ONE

The all carbon-fiber yacht was built in 2003 at the Boat Speed shipyard in Australia. A Hugh Welbourn design, FRENCH SPIRIT ONE features are pretty close to the future America’s Cup measurement rule :

29 meter long
35 meter mast
Sail area : main 300 m2, spinnaker : 600 m2
20 crew members

French Spirit One, the french team's new 90ft yacht. Photo copyright Team French Spirit

The boat was selected by Team French Spirit to carry on its training programme. Philippe Presti, Bertrand Pacé and Mathieu Richard - currently No 1 of the ISAF World Match Race ranking - are going to set up various training sessions in Saint-Tropez during the winter 2008-2009 to recruit and test new talents, select grinders and get everyone more acquainted with a 30 meter mono-hull yacht.

“It’s a major step for our team’s preparation. With this super-maxi, things are becoming more concrete, of course for the crew, but also for our future partners” says Marc Pajot. “This week-end we went to Marseille to participate in the Juris’ Cup and then, from September 29th to October 4th, in the prestigious Voiles de Saint-Tropez”.

Team French Spirit intends also to compete in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series and congratulates Bruno Troublé, Louis Vuitton and Team New Zealand for setting up this new big boat Match Race event. Philippe Presti, skipper : “It will be an excellent opportunity for our new crew to get back on the water and test its skills against redoubtable opponents.”

Designer contest : Projects delivered !

On September 18th in Marseille, 7 design teams submitted their files to public notary Maître André Gildas (this to protect their identities during the first stage of evaluation). Under the guidance of Philippe Gouard, President, the Jury of the designer contest is now facing a long and hard working period.