French say ‘merci’ to tough NZ decision
Had the America’s Cup not returned to Europe, the regatta would have at least one less challenger.
While it was exciting the see the Auld Mug contested on Kiwi shores again, only three challengers made it down to Auckland to challenge for the America’s Cup in 2021.
This year in Barcelona, five teams have thrown their hats into the ring, including French syndicate Orient Express Racing Team, who were late in confirming their entry.
Team chief executive Stephan Kandler said it would have been a hard decision for Team New Zealand to make, but accessibility to the Cup venue was a major factor in the French being able to launch their campaign.
“I would say for New Zealand it was probably a difficult decision first of all for the team and, secondly, a difficult decision for the country. I could imagine that. I’ve been a lot to New Zealand and you have a wonderful country,” Kandler said.
“This decision made it possible for us to be part of the event, to be honest. Having the America’s Cup in Europe makes a whole lot of difference for our sponsors and the event itself. So, I would say, first of all, thanks to New Zealand for bringing the America’s Cup back to Europe. It made a difference to us.
“I wouldn’t imagine that we would be there without the America’s Cup being in Barcelona, so it’s a game changer for sure.”
As well as the Cup being in a more accessible location, the French took the option of purchasing a design package from Team New Zealand for the build of their own AC75.
It’s a smart play for the French in a bid to be competitive immediately, as they are one of two challengers who were not involved in the last cycle of the Cup and have no experience with the intricacies of the 75-foot foiling monohull.
Chief operating officer Kevin Shoebridge confirmed to the Herald earlier this year that Team New Zealand were giving the French “the best we can do”, which should see the newcomers well-placed.
“In the end, we’ll all have our own period of time — the last four months or five months — to do whatever we want with our boats, but for all intents and purposes, they will look very similar.”
What will be interesting is just how quickly the French take to the move up from an AC40 to an AC75.
They will be the only crew not to have sailed in a full-scale vessel when all new generation boats have launched, with Alinghi Red Bull Racing having purchased Team New Zealand’s firstgeneration AC75 and had a period of sailing that early in the campaign.
France won the first competitive race of the cycle when they claimed the opener at the first preliminary regatta in Vilanova i la Geltru.
Kandler said he was hopeful that was a sign of things to come. “We proved to the whole world that our opponents should count on us.”