There are nine sailors - eight French and one New Zealander - representing France in the America's Cup, taking turns at the six posts on board. However, the crew is composed of six people: a helmsman, a trimmer and four grinders (winchers), called "hamsters". The hamsters change with each race, as the AC Class requires intense physical strength to produce the energy to drive the hydraulics that control the foils in particular. They are in charge of tactics, jib and foils adjustment and manoeuvres.
Franck Cammas, Skipper (44 years old)
Position: Helmsman and Foil Setter
At 44 years of age, the skipper of Groupama Team France no longer presents himself. He is one of the great sailors who are currently marking the history of ocean racing and has an exceptional list of achievements: solo, double-handed or crewed, from the Solitaire du Figaro to the Route du Rhum, from the Transat Jacques Vabre to the Trophy, Jules Verne or the Little Cup and Volvo Ocean Race, which he won. All he needs now is to take part in the Olympic Games and the America's Cup (which will now be done).
His technological approach, his intelligence, his marine sense, an enormous capacity for work, this ability to surround himself with the best and to delegate, plus an extraordinary determination characterize this small, tireless crew. Doing everything possible to win is the leitmotiv of this exceptional regatta sailor who is exclusively focused on performance. He is also one of the founders of the Défi Français, alongside Olivier de Kersauson and Michel Desjoyeaux.
1st participation in the America's Cup
Thierry Fouchier (51 years old)
Position: Navigator - Wing trimmer
At 51, Thierry Fouchier is the only Frenchman to have won the America's Cup as a crew member on the American trimaran BMW-Oracle in 2010. With four "Cup" campaigns behind him, the colossal experience of the sailor from Marseilles is a huge asset. Franck Cammas knows that he can rely on the indispensable "Fouch", the wing trimmer... who, at over 40 knots, always remains calm and reassuring even in the most scabrous situations.
5 e participation in the America's Cup
Adam Minoprio (31 years old)
Position: Navigator - Kite trimmer, replacement helmsman
Adam Minoprio is a New Zealander and the only foreigner aboard Groupama Team France. The youngest world champion in the history of match racing, this sailor of rare precociousness has also competed in the Volvo Ocean Race, finishing second behind... Franck Cammas. Adam also helmed the Italian boats Prada for a long time. Versatile, open, easy to live with and having already sailed a lot on the "foilers", notably with the Italians of Luna Rossa, at just 31 years of age he can compete for any position, whether it be at the helm, where he excels, tactics or wing trimming. In GC 32, he is today the reference at international level, and brings on board this "Kiwi touch" envied by many.
2nd participation in the America's Cup
Thomas Le Breton (35 years old)
Position: Sailor - Tactician and Wincher
Thomas Le Breton, 35 years old, made three successive Olympic preparations in Laser then Finn. This colossus born in Pont-l'Abbé and who dreamed of the America's Cup, very quickly revealed himself as an outstanding tactician. Calm, discreet and extremely rigorous in his tactical approach, he embodied the "quiet force" that had to place the boat in relation to the opponent, the course and the wind. He is also a wincher, which, given the effort involved, means that he must always be lucid and "cool-headed"
1st participation in the America's Cup
Matthieu Vandame (34 years old)
Position: Sailing - Wincher in charge of storing the energy necessary to adjust the foils
Matthieu Vandame is, like his companion Arnaud Jarlergan, from a sport catamaran. Matthieu has been F18 world champion several times, has won the Tour de France à la Voile in Diam 24, has competed in the Petite Coupe de l'America, and has raced a lot with and against Franck Cammas. Thanks to his power, his brilliant academic background and an exemplary attitude, it didn't take him long to become indispensable aboard Groupama Team France as a wincher in charge of storing up the energy required to adjust the foils.
1st participation in the America's Cup
Arnaud Jarlegan (40 years old)
Position: Sailing - Wincher in charge of storing the energy necessary to adjust the foils
Arnaud Jarlegan comes from Arradon in the Gulf of Morbihan, and comes from a sport catamaran. He did two Olympic preparations in Tornado with Billy Besson and also won the European and World championships in F18. His immense multihull experience combined with his large size and feline suppleness make him a grinder and trimmer that cannot be ignored aboard a flying catamaran.
1st participation in the America's Cup
Devan Le Bihan (34 years old),
Position: Sailor - bowman
Loyal to Franck Cammas for several seasons now, Devan Le Bihan, a native of Hennebont near Lorient, is a pillar of the team whatever the support. He won the Tour de France à la Voile with Franck Cammas and has been competing on the entire AC 45 circuit for the past two seasons. Agile and gifted with great physical strength, Devan is an uncompromising athlete who never gives up when it comes to "grind."
1st participation in the America's Cup
Nicolas Heintz (33 years old)
Position: Sailing - Wincher in charge of storing the energy necessary to adjust the foils
Nicolas Heintz, as his name doesn't indicate, is from Corsica... Coming from the Laser after having done his classes in Porticcio, this former STAPS student, who is over a quintal in size, has a second row rugby jersey, and according to Franck Cammas, the crew's best physical potential. Like his mates, he has to provide around 300 Watts per regatta (1,200 Watts in total over a round). At only 33 years of age, this European match racing champion has imposed himself naturally and is also working very hard in order to put his finger on this dream of racing in Bermuda.
1st participation in the America's Cup
Olivier Herledant (36 years old)
Position: Navigant - Wincher in charge of storing the energy necessary to adjust the wing
A great Match Racing specialist, this engineer is considered one of the best, if not the best, driver in the world. This solid, slender athlete with a well-made head, who was the vice-world champion in Match Racing with Mathieu Richard as tactician, knows the Bermuda race course well. It didn't take him long to blend in with the crew, and his physical condition is such that he can turn the cranks while maintaining the necessary lucidity.
1st participation on the America's Cup
