In 2013 Franck Cammas, Michel Desjoyeaux and Olivier de Kersauson created Team France. Together, they decided to develop French excellence in the best there is in terms of racing and technology: the America’s Cup.

Complementary talent

They no longer need an introduction. In the beginning, there was one man: Franck Cammas. With Groupama since 1998, he has won almost everything. Now he is making no secret of the fact that his dream is to win the “Holy Grail of Sailing” and he’s putting every ounce of energy and determination into that goal. He is convinced of the fact that when launching a high performance America’s Cup project, you must not only know how to surround yourself with the right people and develop a national union, but also you have to the break down the existing divides between the solo epics and the crewed races. As such, Franck Cammas has called upon the services of Michel Desjoyeaux and Olivier de Kersauson.

This unique association of three sailors from different generations with indisputable track records and a complementary image, also aims to reach out to a wider audience. Indeed, we’re familiar with Michel Desjoyeaux’ skills in terms of technological research and development and the ‘professor’s’ eye for spotting young talent. We’re familiar with the charisma and the popular and media impact of Olivier de Kersauson. Finally, we’re familiar too with the talent, intelligence and natural leadership qualities of Franck Cammas, at the head of Groupama Team France’s sports sector.

Promoting ‘Made in France’ excellence

Groupama Team France is keen to contribute to the development of the entire technological and sports sector, a showcase for metropolitan France’s expertise and excellence in the water sports milieu. It’s worth remembering that France, the only nation with a presence on all the oceans of the globe, also boasts the second largest maritime heritage in the world just behind the United States, and remains the world’s primary yacht builder. Equally, it’s no accident that France trains up the top engineers in terms of aerodynamics, hydrodynamics and composites. At the forefront in all the major international teams over several decades, the ‘Frenchies’ notably designed the wings and foils for Oracle Team USA. However, France has not yet managed to assert itself in the America’s Cup. Groupama and Franck Cammas, who have written one of the finest pages in French yachting and sport over the past 18 years, winning all the major races in which they have competed in both solo and crewed configuration, are keener than ever to promote ‘Made in France’ excellence and show just what France is capable of!

Gathering together the top players

Around the iconic sailors that are Franck Cammas, Michel Desjoyeaux and Olivier de Kersauson, Groupama Team France has grouped together the best possible skill sets, in domains as indispensable as they are complementary, such as the design team, engineering, technology, logistics, physical training, dietetics and the sporting element of course. Armed with considerable experience of racing and management, Bruno Dubois heads up a team surrounded by French and overseas specialists, recognised across all the world’s race zones. The mix of cultures is not only a constant of the America’s Cup, it is an added benefit in the bid to meets one’s objectives and provide an extra ‘French touch’!

Uniting the French public

Beyond the sailing enthusiasts, and notably the 300,000 members of the French Sailing Federation and more than 3.5 million sailors, Groupama Team France is keen to pull together the French population as a whole, with the aim of creating a project to boost national pride and flies the country’s flag. Freedom, solidarity, responsibility, humility, high standards and team work… all qualities which make an example of sailing and act as a showcase for the country.

As a result, this French team is built around a genuine ecosystem with a whole community of ambassadors and in its wake come SMEs and partners, with support from authorities like the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry for Cities, Youth and Sports, as well as institutions like the École Nationale de Voile et des Sports Nautiques and the Yacht Club de France. It’s not insignificant that the livery and lines with which the AC 45 Groupama Team France will contest the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series (LVACWS) are in the colours of the national flag.