Kandler's viewpoint

The CEO of the French America's Cup team gives his opinions about his team and their future

In this interview Stéphane Kandler, CEO of France's Areva Challenge, takes stock of five years of preparation for the 32nd America's Cup and announces the team's work will complete with an analysis of this first campaign before continuing the work this young team started.

Areva Challenge finished eighth in the Louis Vuitton Cup - a disappointing result for the French team, which showed its potential through some very superb matches, especially with their final battle with the South Africans.

From 14 May, Areva Challenge will again be on the water to test some new configurations and perhaps will have some friendly matches with some of the other teams.

Stéphane Kandler, your first campaign was announced in December 2001. What is your assessment of the campaign?

Initially, we conceived of a challenge that was different from any previous French challenge and we spent much of the five years trying to convince France that this was a good route to take. We passed one stage after another to gain credibility. We were supported by partners progressively. We had ambitious objectives: to reach the Semi-Finals. It is obviously disappointing that we fell short of this goal.

Why did that happen?

Initially, we missed some experience in our approach to the event and today, we realise that one can be very close, but the matches need to be won. We did not always have the answers. We sometimes had period that cost us because we could not maintain the continuity of the project. With the same budget, if we had known in advance, we would certainly have been more powerful. In passing, I note that we had some small periods of financial hard times, particularly during the 2005 winter, but it was at the same time that the team sailed some spectacular matches in Trapani.

What about the last minute crew changes?

We changed many things in the organisation of the afterguard and spent a lot of the Louis Vuitton Cup trying to find the best mode of operation. The system that we set up seems very promising to me since the team knew how to react after points were lost to the Swedes and South Africans during Round Robin 1. Psychologically, it is always difficult to lose, but our team stayed focused and motivated. When we analysed all of the matches, we saw that we lost many of them by a very small amount. This is the proof that the team stayed mentally solid throughout the event.

Did the fact that FRA 93 was optimised for a breeze of 12-15 knots make it difficult to race these two Round Robins that were sailed in light air?

The weather conditions in Valencia this April were not what was predicted, but it was also an error on our part. We have a rather general-purpose AC boat. It is a lack of anticipation and time that we could not prepare two configurations for light and medium winds. We spent a lot of the Louis Vuitton Cup trying to find the best adjustments. Unfortunately, we did not have the same means as some of the larger teams, who could react by changing their appendages or sails. Also, during the winter, we mainly sailed FRA 93 in stronger winds and only realised very late that the boat was not completely at her best in light air. We have clearly improved the boat during these last few days, but let us be realistic, this is not what has made us lose the matches! It only makes it more difficult to win. Our boat seems to be competitive and in the same class as Victory Challenge or Mascalzone Latino.

What's the future for Areva Challenge ?

I think that our partners are satisfied even if the result was not what we had wished. I hope that we contributed to raising the image of the America's Cup in France by showing that we had a competitive team. Now, what is important is to capitalise on what we have just accomplished. Everyone realises that it is necessary to continue to work between the Cups. When I look at the current rankings of the Louis Vuitton Cup, I see three leaders who formed their teams early, had large budgets, and have one or two campaigns under their belts. Other teams, like the Spanish, quickly bought boats with a good history, such as the One World boats, and employed very experienced sailors such as Paul Cayard. Others, like the Swedes or Mascalzone Latino, sailed in the last America's Cup and profitted from that experience. We have proved many things during the last five years and have fought hard. It is now necessary to preserve the key elements of this group. One also needs a larger budget to finish in the top four. Today, in the medium of sailing, the America's Cup is the most difficult trophy to win. Is it important for France to win this trophy? For French sport and French sailing? I say yes! We can use the Spanish team as an example. They began with a blank page and have qualified for the Semi-Finals. This will encourage us in our perseverance.



Does that imply a new project with two boats?

Of course! This is why the budget should at least be double. Two boats also means two crews. With that addition, it is not the same organisation any longer and must be reinforced with some external elements. We must search for talented personnel to gain the experience we need. There are already teams who have put their boats up for sale. To purchase an additional boat would quickly make it possible for us to evolve and progress. There are several Frenchmen who are currently with other campaigns, including Bertrand Pacé (BMW Racing Oracle), Philippe Presti (Luna Rossa Challenge), and Bernard Labro (Alinghi), just to name a few. They are numerous! It interests us to make a French team with people who have such great experience. We have set up a platform which shows good qualities, now we just need complimentary experience and external contributions. If one wants to do all that, it is necessary to have the means and to present an ambitious project. It is the perfect moment to set it up.

Does this Louis Vuitton Cup appear to be successful to you?

Certainly! More than one million spectators have visited Valencia. The European media has never given the America's Cup so much coverage. The event took on a new dimension and the level of the Challengers clearly went up. The arrival of new sponsors is also good news. There are many different types of companies present...energy drinks, banks, energy producers, industrialists, communications, insurance, and more. Sailing is a sport, but returns on the investment are important. It is necessary to create a dynamic around the French project. The majority of the teams are already recruiting [for next time] even though the America's Cup has not been sailed yet!

Is it necessary to wait to know who will win the trophy?

No, because we already know what will roughly happen. Potentially the Spanish could win, but I do not believe it too much. The United States could win, which is an important market for everyone. A win by the Italians would keep the Cup in Europe. Possibly, it could return back to New Zealand. On the Swiss side, Alinghi will not change its marketing techniques and will keep as much of the public involved as possible. The Louis Vuitton Acts were a success for sponsorship, the public, and the media. Two regattas are scheduled for Kiel in August and San Francisco in September. There is already a future for the America's Cup!

And will Areva Challenge be present for these two competitions?

That does not depend only on me… I did the outmost I could do. I took enormous financial risks and now the team needs a strong supporter. And, to get to the next level, we need a partner very quickly. It is necessary to have the means and to not lose the momentum of this team.

What is the program for the next few days?

We will have a short break so everyone can rest. Then, as of 14 May, Areva Challenge will return to the water to finish testing some modifications. We will also have several meetings and debriefs to finish analyzing our experience and knowledge from the past five years. In June, will take inventory and will check all of our equipment so, if we do go to Germany in August, it will be possible. Sebastien Col is also ready to set out again on the World Match Racing Circuit and has several events planned for this summer.