Le Defi back on the rails

French America's Cup challenge to compete in pre-regattas

With the return of the America's Cup to Europe and the intention to modernise the event with a string of regattas in south Europe starting in September, Le Defi, the French America's Cup challenger from the last two America's Cups has confirmed its participation once again.

"It was important to enter our team in these first official regattas to gain strength for 2007," says Luc Gellusseau who remains in charge of operations for Le Defi. "This is less about the result on the water - our main objective is to get the dynamics of the team going again and to demonstrate to our partners just how big the America's Cup in Europe this time."

Le Defi is currently in the process of recruiting a team of 25 people. Philippe Presti has been confirmed as skipper/helmsman while Philippe Mourniac will be tactician.

Pierre Mas, sporting director in 2000 and 2003, will be also on their 2003 Cup boat, FRA 69, to run the crew trials.

The preparatory work on the campaign will start at the Le Defi base in Lorient on 22 March. Le Defi have also reserved a 1,600sqm site at the Real Club Nautico de Valencia alongside Alinghi and Oracle. The team expect to begin training in Valencia from 28 June.