New home for Cogito

A tale for two Benoits for this year's Little America's Cup

Benoît Morelle's Swiss team AXONRacing.ch will compete in the Little Cup 2015 in Geneva over 6 -20 September, with Mini turned Moth sailor Benoît Marie as skipper.

The team will sail on Steve Clark's legendary Class-C Cogito, winner of the Little America's Cup in 1996 and 2004. Both the platform and the wing are currently being developed in the United States, and Cogito will be on Lake Geneva ready to compete in due course.

In charge of the project, Benoît Morelle is well known both around Lake Geneva. Last week, he finished third in the Bol d’Or Mirabaud onboard the Psaros 40 axonproject.ch; and his career includes several highlights including winning the Admiral’s Cup, the Tour de France à la Voile.

"To be registered for the Little Cup after two years of hard work is an important and symbolic step," said Morelle. "Our goal is to be competitive on the starting line in September. Our boat is beautiful and has achieved more than any other boat in the fleet. She is very reliable and efficient in the light wind conditions that can be expected on Lake Geneva. I want to thank Denis Horeau, Hydros and Steve Clark, the President of the C-Class, for their support."

Benoît Morelle asked Benoît Marie to be Cogito’s skipper for the Little Cup. Born in Nantes, Marie is a very complete sailor and an engineer. He was the youngest helmsman in the Tour de France à la Voile 2008 and won the Mini Transat in 2013. He said: "It’s an honour for me to sail on this legendary boat. I’ve known her for ages, and she made me dream… I went to New Zealand to study wings thinking about this specific boat, and knowing all about her achievements."

AXONRacing.ch will benefit from the support of Forward WIP – Water Impact Protection and is actively looking for a title partner.

Already Benoît Morelle and Benoît Marie have carried out an initial training session in the United States in May, and will return there to train more in July.

"It is the story of the two Benoît on a boat, quips Marie. "One of them knows the lake as well as his pocket; the other one is fond of technology and speed. One will tell the other where to go whilst the other will make sure to get there as fast as possible! »