The Frenchman's team and sponsor, who had actually invited their 32-metre tri "Groupama 3" to the last press conference in Brest before the start of the Jules Verne Trophy record attempt, provided a real surprise.
While the sailing world focuses on the upcoming showdown between the two fastest and largest sailing machines in the world, the duel for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe between Camma's "Groupama 3" and the 40-metre monster tri "Banque Populaire V", the sponsors are already looking ahead: "Groupama is constantly developing its overseas business and generates 30 per cent of its turnover there," says press spokesman Frederique Granado in Brest. This internationalisation of the business is now to be taken into account with participation in the Volvo Race.
Alongside Giovanni Soldini's Italian team, Groupama is the second team to have made a binding entry for the Volvo Race. However, given the starting harbour of Alicante, it is highly likely that a Spanish boat will take part in the race.
The surprise coup is made perfect by the announcement that the team has already signed up Juan Kouyoumdjian, the most successful designer in the Volvo 70 class. He designed the last two winning boats for Ericsson and before that ABN-Amro.
Franck Cammas was proud of his team's new goal: "In times when many major sports sponsors are leaving their teams, Groupama is showing great faith in me. This will only spur us on for our performance in the upcoming Jules Verne Trophy."
The Frenchman and his team are now on standby for the record attempt for the fastest non-stop circumnavigation of the world, which is currently still held by Bruno Peyron with his maxi-cat "Orange II" at just over 50 days.
Andreas Fritsch
Editor Travel
