If we currently see an AC45 sailing under the colors of Groupama Team France, it is 2 other boats that will serve to really prepare for the America's Cup.
The Cup will be raced on 50-foot catamarans: the AC 50. These boats are not allowed to sail before December 26, 2016. Upstream, the teams have the choice to build one (or more) AC 45 "Turbo" with the limit of 150 days of sailing with these machines.
This laboratory boat, which will be used for training (and which costs about 500,000 euros), will be made up of 90% of parts that will be installed on the final AC 50. Thus the rigid wing, foils and rudder will be those used on the Cup. Only the hulls will be different. Groupama Team France's AC 45 Turbo is currently under construction. The launch is scheduled for the end of June 2016 to carry out its 150 days of sailing during the summer months (until the end of September approximately). This boat, which will serve as a laboratory, will see up to 8 different sets of foils tested (the maximum allowed by the cup).
Currently, the hulls are being manufactured by Multiplast, the linking arms are being made by Décision, the wing is being manufactured in New Zealand by Core Builder (delivery expected at the end of March). The appendages are being made by Multiplast in collaboration with members of the Groupama Team France.
Franck Cammas wants to sail again at the end of February!
At the same time, Franck Cammas is in full rehabilitation. Seriously injured in the foot on November 30, 2015 during a training session in Quiberon Bay, he left his cast on January 12, 2016. He is currently undergoing intensive rehabilitation at the Kerpape center in Ploemeur.
Franck Cammas: "I'm happy to be gradually regaining my independence. Every day that goes by brings me closer to the day when I'll set foot on a boat again. It's very motivating. In the meantime, I'm not wasting my time! My daily routine is busy with about 4 to 5 hours in Kerpape depending on the day and then 1 hour in the Alter-G at the Thalasso of Quiberon. In between, I have meetings with my teams at the base in Lorient. It is rich and intense. It is probably this permanent movement that allowed me to quickly digest the shock and turn my accident into a positive. But it's time for me to get back to sea and let go of my guysâeuros¦ It seems that I'm too much on their backs (laughs)."
Although Franck will not be sailing in Oman during the 1st Act of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series, he will be with his team to encourage them. On the other hand, he will be on board the AC45 Series during the training week which will be held in Mascat from Monday 29th February to Friday 4th March.
