Marie Riou replaced
Marie Riou will no longer be at Billy Besson's side as flight controller for the French Sail GP team. The latter is replaced by François Morvan, an expert in inshore or offshore multihulls.
"By 2019, he was already with us in back up. He showed his skills and know-how despite the little navigation on the boat. He participated in all the simulator sessions. He's lived with the team, he knows how we operate. So it was a logical choice." comments Billy Besson.
A new coach
Thierry Douilard will be the new coach of the French team, replacing Franck Citeau and Stevie Morrison, who are busy with other activities. This multiple winner of the Tour de France à la voile is a well-known offshore racer, but also the coach of the Oman Sail team and the router of Sodebo. It was therefore quite naturally the right choice for the French.
"He has a superb career and is someone who combines many qualities: he is used to the Anglo-Saxon environment, familiar with the technical aspects of the boat and data analysis. And humanly speaking, he's a good match for what we're looking for, says Billy. I think he's going to bring us a lot."
An additional winch
Jules Bidegaray, 25 years old will be the replacement and the 4th grinder of the tricolour team, alongside the very experienced Olivier Herledant, Devan Le Bihan and Timothée Lapauw. This young sailor from the Team France Jeune and the Tour Voile is the winner of the competition launched in Marseille last autumn to train and recruit a young winchman.
"For us, indicates Billy, the most important thing is that it is operational from the 2nd or 3rd regatta. These are very demanding jobs that require freshness. You have to be physically and mentally ready to throw the heavy lifting."
A new energy
Billy explains: "The idea is to try to give a second wind, a new energy to move forward and achieve clear performance objectives. But without turning everything upside down, no, plus?!"
A new modular wing
Matthieu Vandame, who holds the position of wing trimmer, will this year have to learn the handling and settings of the new modular wing, which should be adopted at the San Francisco event (May 2 and 3). This retractable wing with a height of 18 to 24 m will allow you to adapt to a wide range of sailing conditions and to go even faster.
Composition of the France SailGP 2020 sailing team :
Billy Besson/barreur - 38 years old - Resides in Sevrier, France
François Morvan/flight trimmer - 36 years old - Resides in Nantes, France
Matthieu Vandame/wing trimmer - 37 years old - Resides in Rennes, France
Olivier Herledant/Wincheur -39 years old - Resides in Douarnenez, France
Devan Le Bihan/Wincheur - 36 years old - Resides in Hennebont, France
Timothé Lapauw/Wincheur - 27 years old - Resides in Antibes, France
Jules Bidegaray/Wincheur - 25 years old - Resides in Hyères, France
