A first test
The sail GP circuit returns in 2021 for a new season. On April 24 and 25, the French team will race against 8 other international crews, including the best sailors in the world.
"We don't have any concrete result objectives for this first race. We're already going to organize ourselves on the boat to get the most perfect navigation and make it as beautiful as possible. There are 5 of us on board, and everything has to be coordinated" explains Billy Besson, helmsman of the French team.
5th of the ranking (out of 6 crews) in season 1, the French team has just spent three weeks training and training the new crew members.
"This first regatta will allow us to prove ourselves and prepare well for what's to come. The team has already done the entire 2019 season and part of the 2020 season. We've made some adjustments, especially in the crew, but they all have experience. We managed to get some training in, even though we didn't sail as much as we wanted to, due to the health crisis and weather conditions." explains Bruno Dubois, Team Manager.
New team members
For this season 2, the French welcome the English Leigh McMillan who participated in the America's Cup on Ineos as a flight controller. He will occupy the position of wing trimmer and will have to manage the hydraulic adjustments of the new retractable wing.
"This new wing can measure 18 m high for strong conditions and 29 m high for mild conditions. We can fly from 5 knots of wind. It is a completely hydraulic wing, compared to the season 1, which allows a better adaptability. The wing is much more streamlined and made to reach speeds of 50 knots. It might be scary, but it's part of the evolution. That's what excites me and excites me. I can't wait to be able to do this!" enthuses Billy Besson.
Matthieu Vandame, Olivier Herledant and Timothé Lapauw will be at the winches and trimming the headsails.
François Morvan will once again be flight controller. He will be able to benefit from the experience of Lean McMillian who occupied this role on the America's Cup.
"My role is to stabilize the flight height, to keep a constant attitude, more stable according to the helm angles. I have to analyze how the boat is going to react and counteract to have the most stable point of sail. We are a homogeneous group, we work well and a lot. We hope it will pay off quickly explains François.
Thierry Douillard will be the new coach for this season 2, multiple winner of the Tour de France à la Voile, ocean racer, coach of the Oman Sail team, router for Sodebo.
Finally, two female athletes join the team, Hélène Noesmoen and Amélie Riou . The first one is a world champion in windfoil and the second one is an athlete in 49er and has the ambition to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games.
"Hélène and Amélie are athletes who prepare for the games. They are super positive. Hélène is a foil champion and is used to making quick decisions and impressive speeds on the board.
Amélie is preparing for the games and is used to playing on different media" says Bruno Dubois.
"The girls will be on every sailing trip. They are with us on the back to understand how the boat works, to learn what it is like and how it works. If a women's league could ever be established, it would be great for Sail GP. Russell Couts (Editor's note: Sail GP organizer) wants to make F50s affordable for girls. There are no girls in the America's Cup, no girls in the Moth, no girls in the GC32 and we need to change that. The best way is to invite them on board. They will be able to touch all the positions, on land and at sea. Russell Couts will make his decision for 2022 based on how it goes." concludes Billy Besson.
