Team photographer Guilain Grenier has been following the Cup action for defending champions Oracle Racing from the start. He's been everywhere. At the debut of the America's Cup World Series in Cascais last summer. In windy Plymouth. In gloomy San Diego. In Düsseldorf at the European Yacht of the Year awards, where skipper Jimmy Spithill read out the winners. And this week at training in San Francisco Bay, the venue for the next Cup.
There, Grenier captured what Spithill later called "a fantastic day" in captivating images: 18 to 20 knots of wind, the usual choppy seas, sunshine and two AC 45s that were sailing at the limit and in close contact half-windwards across the course. "That was champagne sailing," said Spithill. And he wasn't so much referring to the spray that showered the crews, but the perfect conditions.
The photographer was also delighted. "This is exactly what we want to see every day in September 2013. We just didn't expect it now, late in February," says Grenier. Surprisingly warm weather provided plenty of sea breeze. And the bay of the metropolis provided the right backdrop.
"Of all the venues I've photographed at, San Francisco Bay is simply the best," says Guilain Grenier. "The show starts at half past twelve every day. The breeze builds up, pushing aside the light cloud cover and giving way to a blue sky as the tide transforms the water."
What is it like to work on a photo boat? "It's hard."
To keep up with the wing cats at a top speed of around 30 knots, you have to grit your teeth and hold on tight. "We go full throttle the whole time." Every wave becomes a jump table. Nevertheless, Grenier is already hungry for more. He is looking forward to the same kind of action with the actual Cup boats, the AC 72s, and he won't have to wait much longer. The first monster cat from Oracle Racing will be ready for the summer.
One thing is already clear to Grenier: "We will need bigger photo boats!"
Jochen Rieker
Herausgeber YACHT
