Catamarans for the next America’s cup!!!

What a change for the most famous trophy in the world. It is a good move for the future of sailing.

I sailed five America’s cup and won one with Alinghi in 2007. I’m always exciting about sailing, engineer and team spirit of this race. When I sailed multihull 60 in 2002 we were 13 yachts on the starting line in Fecamps. I thought that sailing America’s cup on these yachts could be very exciting and challenging for engineering. Here we are, it is time to invent sailing, rig, sails, hull…

On Belgacom multi 60, I was in charge of the rig, sails and deck layout; I was working with the team and the designers to build the best boat. I sailed as mainsail trimmer in lot of grand prix. With Loic Peyron we won two grand prix on Fujicolor. I still have one trophy at home, it was my birthday.

I worked with Juan Kouyoumdjian as project manager of a twisting mast for IMS 50 footer. Designing a rig with 0° angle at deck level and 30° at top of mast without any lateral shroud is very challenging for engineering, we made it.

Project manager of the rig of two America’s cup campaign, I learnt a lot about rig and joined mast’s offices for different custom project: Le Ponant 88 meters with three masts, Corum admiral’s cup, La poste and Merit around the world.

Mainsail and jib trimmer in five America’s cup and on multihull 60’, I always bring my input and new idea to sail designer. I like to race and feel power of yachts. For sure this new AC72 will be one of the most powerful yacht.

Where ever the cup will be it is going to be about management and creativity to build the faster yacht in the world: the best team.