K-Challenge back on the road

Dust blown off FRA93 in Valencia prior to the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series

The K-Challenge’s base in Valencia, Spain, has become very busy once again! FRA93, K-Challenge’s V5 Cup boat, has been fully readied for sea again, with the mast stepped last Saturday morning. The final details are being checked today for the launch of an intensive training session to be held over 13-20 January.

The crew will then fly to Auckland, arriving on 23 January to start training with the other nine competitors in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, which runs from 1-14 February.

Stephane Kandler, K-Challenge’s CEO commented: “we have chosen to put every chance on our side by organising this training in Valencia. It appeared important to us to get a common experience with this new crew that Sebastien Col gathered. K-Challenge now starts on solid grounds with a great motivation and enthusiasm, and we will work very hard during this week, keeping in mind the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series as our goal. This will also be a good opportunity for us to welcome some famous supporters…”.

IT the K-Challenge team will be able to count on the unconditional support of one famous sportsman who also knows how complex a team sport at the highest level can be: Raphaël Ibañez.

The former captain of the French National Rugby Team (98 selections , two times World Championship finalist), who now plays with the London Wasps, will come to Valencia to support the French team for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, before they will fly to the All Blacks’ country. He will sail with them on FRA93 on 19 January. Raphaël will be an 18th man able to check out the famous saying in France, which is: “an America’s Cup team is a rugby team on board a Formula 1 playing chess”. This is of course a reference to the racing format in duel, where tactics and strategy on the race course are two important parameters to win.

Ibañez continues: "I really like K-Challenge’s philosophy, and it is with a great pleasure that I will share this moment with them as I want to support them. This will also be an incredible first team experience for me on a boat.”

Other teams are also training in Valencia before their departure, which will be an opportunity for K-Challenge to train with good spar ring partners. The newly formed team is also very happy to sail together on this great boat.

Crew list :

- Bow: Jean-Marie Dauris (United Internet Team Germany 2007, Le Défi Areva 2003)
- Mid-bow: Christophe André (Areva Challenge 2007, Equipe de France de Match Racing with Sebastien Col)
- Mast: Olivier Herledant (China Team 2007, Equipe de France de Match Racing)
- Pit: Gilles Favennec (Areva Challenge 2007, Equipe de France de Match Racing with Sebastien Col, Le Défi Areva 2003)
- Pit Assist: Bruno Jeanjean (America’s Cup with the French teams in 1992 and 1995)
- Grinder: Federico Giovanelli (Desafio Español 2007, Prada Challenge 2003)
- Grinder: Carlo Castellano (Desafio Español 2007, Mascalzone Latino 2003, Il Moro de Venezia 1992)
- Trimmer / Spinnaker: Olivier Douillard (Areva Challenge 2007, Equipe de France de Match Racing with Sebastien Col, Le Défi Areva 2003)
- Trimmer / Jib: Christian Scherrer (+39 Challenge 2007, Alinghi 2003, Equipe de France de Match Racing with Sebastien Col)
- Grinder: Enrico de Maria (Alinghi 2007, 2003)
- Trimmer / Main Sail: Yann Gouniot (Alinghi 2007, France3 1995, Ville de Paris 1992, French Kiss 1987, France3 1983
- Traveller: Erwan Israel (Equipe de France de Match Racing with Sebastien Col)
- Helmsman: Sebastien Col (Areva Challenge 2007, Le Défi Areva 2003)
- Tactician: Rod Dawson (BMW Oracle Racing 2007, Oneworld 2003)
- Strategist: Fred Guilmin (Areva Challenge 2007, Equipe de France de Match Racing with Sebastien Col, Le Défi Areva 2003)
- Grinder : Virgilio Torrecilla (Desafio Español 2007, Bravo España 2000)
- Navigator : Philippe Mourniac (United Internet Team Germany 2007, Le Défi Areva 2003, Ville de Paris 1992)