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French
Group Areva is confirmed
(11/23/01)
(source
: Areva)
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The French Group AREVA confirmed that it was in talks
with the French Challenge for the America's Cup, le Défi
Français. It is understood that the company could contribute
for around €15 million.
The AREVA Group comprises COGEMA, the world nuclear fuel
cycle specialist and FRAMATOME, the leader in nuclear
power plant construction.
Nevertheless, a Press Release explained "Contrary
to reports in the press recently and today, the AREVA
Group has not finalized an agreement with Le Défi concerning
participation in the 2003 America's Cup. Although talks
on this matter were held with Le Défi, no agreement was
concluded. No assumption concerning the AREVA Group's
final position should be made on the basis of these talks".
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"Sailors-technicians"
for Le Défi (11/20/01)
(source
: sail-online.fr)
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Excerpts from
an interview between Luc Gelluseau (Le Défi's Technical
Director) and Catherine Ecarlat (sail-online.fr).
How gets organized the construction of the boat ?
"Multiplast is responsible for the boat building but
Le Défi will join the Yard Team just to learn. The
sailors must be able to participate in the boat's development,
to maintain and repair her."
As technical Director, have you boat building
manager role? ?
" No, Ben Wright, who was responsible for PlayStation's
construction is our project manager. We have already worked
with him during 91 Admiral Cup and then he was in charge
of Steve Fosset's boats during a dozen years."
What have you learned during the construction of 6ème
Sens, are you better prepared than three years ago?
" We progressed a bit in all the sectors. For example, simply
as regards the plans : they are already practically established
and will be completely finalized at the end of
December. We are better also concerning the supply, the
choice of the components ... Multiplast also better
anticipated the realization of this kind of boat, the team
is better prepared, its construction site also. Everything
is going to work a little faster, and much better ! "
About the choice of the hull ...
" That unuseful to comment this
kind of choice. We are trying to build the most successful
boat we can for the Auckland's conditions and we are also
working to build her the most reliable possible."
Many challenges are already training in Hauraki Gulf
as Le Défi is in Lorient, is it an handicap ?
" Anyway, you have to stop and can not navigate all the
time. We are going to stop during two and a half months...
and we will realize the other programs. We are going to
do the pure physical preparation... and to know how the
sailing team can play an effective role during the development
of the boat."
There are no more vacant bases in the Viaduct Basin, where
do you go to settle down ?
" There is still place in Auckland ! Several solutions are
possible, we have not still make our choice, but we’re looking
at the possibilities. It is not a concern to be excentred,
on the contrary, we will be quieter !"
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A
day training with Le Défi 2003 (11/18/01)
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I have been invited to sail
with Le Défi Challenge as 17th man on FRA 46 (former
Sixième Sens) during the last week-end. Considerable
privilege to me...
It is 1200 when I arrived in Le Défi Challenge's
Base in Lorient and I have just time for a quick lift with
Benoît Baume. As a first time visitor, I was overwhelmed
by the size of the new 2 500 m2 construction, built in the
middle of the former fortified German base, used during
WWII for the U-boat fleets and wich defy demolition.
The entire construction project is nearly completed and
in a new light grey square building Le Défi have
all facilities. The ground floor comprise a big IACC boat
shed (3 or 4 hull places) and an adjacent storey sail loft.
The second and the third floors incorporate an administrative
and communication area and a gym space. The official opening
is scheduled for end-november.
Les Coureaux de Groix, the training area, is at least an
hour's tow from the base and a Zodiac is awaiting us in
front the base. Early in the morning, the two boats (orange
FRA 46 and the leased Kiwi black boat NZL 32) have already
left.
We catch up with the boats are they are nearing the training
area. Under a very sunny sky, Le Défi's Zodiac comes
to a big Lomac (a big inflatable chase float with two Yamaha
V6 outboards) helmed by Pierre Mas and I clamber on.
During an hour, I observed Pierre Mas (project leader for
Le Défi Challenge) and Philippe Michel (from National
Antibes Match Racing Center). Under the two trainers control,
the two crews put the basic IACC techniques and exercises
into quality workouts and practice course segments of various
lengths at race pace.
It is 1430 when the Lomac bumps into FRA 46 and I clamber
on. A first surprise was that the match-racer Luc Pillot
helmed the orange boat, helped by Luc Gelluseau. The composition
of the French team and the roles are still open, different
combinations are continually being trialed aboard the two
boats. Everybody will be fixed at the end of this month.
During two hours, the windward-leewards practice were fantastic,
with the team sailing the IACC really well against the NZL
32 helmed by Philippe Presti (who's helped by Sébastien
Destrémau and the young Sébastien Col).
When we return to the Lorient Base, all datas were examined
during two debrief meeting (one for each crew). It seems
a ways off, but Benoît Baume already are feeling some
pressure from the calendar. "At a certain point, time becomes
your enemy," Benoît said.
Below is a typical daily schedule for members of the Le
Défi sailing crew. This schedule does vary but provides
an indication of their training and sailing hours. The team's
goal is to spend the maximum time available on the water.
TYPICAL DAILY TEAM SCHEDULE
9.00 : The team arrives at the sailing base.
9.30 : The team prepares the sailboats for launching into
the Harbor. The appropriate departments meet to discuss
the objectives for the days testing.
11.30 : Launch of both training boats into the Lorient Harbor.
Sailing Team meeting
11.30 - 17.00 : The team stays out on the water conducting
their two boat testing. The testing involves lining up two
sailboats on the same piece of water, in a variety of wind
conditions and sailing for a period of time. Tenders follow
behind with instrumentation to measure the parameters that
affect the boat speed.
18.00 : Debrief meetings
19.00 : End of the work
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