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French Spirit One: A Super
Maxi for Team French Spirit
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A Super-Maxi Yacht for Team French Spirit The probability to see the 33rd Americas 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 Americas Cup measurement rule: 29 meter long The boat was selected by Team French Spirit to carry on its training program. Philippe Prestí, Bertrand Pacé and Mathieu Richard -- currently No 1 of the ISAF World Match Race ranking -- are going to set up various training sessions in St.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 partner.” 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, seven design teams submitted their files to public notary Maitre 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. Please Note: The original press release was initially only available in French, at which time CupInfo provided a rough translation. The above English text was later received directly from the team. For your reference: Read the original here (in French) and Read the earlier English-language translation.
Other Links of Interest: Team French Spirit Press Release
Team website:
www.teamfrenchspirit.com |
