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The French involvement in the America’s Cup dates back to the 1970 event, and despite their success elsewhere in the sport, this has been a mountain they’ve yet to summit. After an early exit during the 2017 edition, they return again in 2024 to change history.
But to do so, they must overcome long odds. They were the last team to enter, and the only team to not design their own boat, having bought the technical details from the New Zealand defender. But French skipper and co-pilot Quentin Delapierre, 31, remains an optimist.
“The 75 is a beautiful boat which we are really proud of,” he reports. “The tech team did an unbelievable job, which they had to do in a rush, which is not easy, but the French nation showed we are able to build this kind of boat. The main challenge for us now is to bring everything together, and make sure the systems are reliable.”
As the last of the five Cup challenger teams to get on the water, Delapierre and his crew have no illusions about the challenge ahead even before racing starts, but he paid tribute to the tech and electronics teams who were able to create a simulator which made an enormous difference to their transition.
“When we went sailing in the AC75 it felt familiar. We had been in the AC40 sailing manually of course, and when we transferred to the 75 it was certainly very different, but the hours and hours we had spent in the simulator made the transition easier — I would say we felt very much at home.
“The simulator is a new tool for sailing over the past few years, and since the arrival of the AC75 we have been pushing hard to translate all that we have learnt. It has been a really good start, but we have a way to go.”
While winless in the America’s Cup, the French are not alone among the challenges as Italy has been trying since 1983 to hold the trophy, and British futility dates back to 1870. Will a new nation win in 2024? Standing by.
Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.
Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)
2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain
2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)
2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)
Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.
Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home
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