French student circuit announced

15 university teams expected for the first Longtze Student Cup series

Students from universities in Lyon, France have set up a new regatta circuit dedicated to students -  the Longtze Student Cup.  13 universities have already signed up, with others set to join, with the first event set to take place over 13-14 March in Marseilles.
 
“We were looking for an alternative to the existing student series," commented Louis Grimaud a student of CPE Lyon and co-founder of the Longtze Student Cup. "We needed something which was financially accessible and relatively simple logistically…The Longtze met these needs perfectly.  Its performance, its sea keeping qualities and its newsworthiness immediately captured the attention of the universities, the students and the sponsors."
 
In just a few months, the team from LSC Management, the circuit organisers, has succeeded in mobilising 13 universities to compete: l’Ecole Polytechnique, HEC, l’Ecole Navale, les Mines de Paris, les Mines de Nancy, Centrale Nantes, Centrale Lyon, Centrale Paris, Supelec, Supaéro, EMLyon, CPE Lyon, l’INSA. Other teams from big universities are in the process of finalising their budgets and are preparing to sign up to this very new circuit.
 
With a reasonable outlay - 12 to 15,000 euros per season - a circuit open not only to the student events but also to other professional regattas, a sportboat that is easily transported and can adapt to all waters, media support…these are the keys to the Longtze Student Cup.

“We were looking for an innovative and challenging circuit for our sailing project,” explains Yves Le Theis, a student from l’Ecole Polytechnique. "The idea is to get experience of the racing world and to rub shoulders with professional sailors," notes Baudouin Vuillermet, a student at Centrale Lyon.  “The boat is very exciting. The team loves it and the circuit is really interesting - it’s a great student event! “ adds Véronique Soulé from Centrale Nantes.
 
The Longtze Student Cup will take place over four events :
 L'Hydro's Cup : 13 and 14 March, Marseilles
 La Course Croisière Edhec : 17 to 24 April, Brest (where sportboats will be welcomed for the first time)
 Le Grand Prix de l’Ecole Navale : 16 to 20 May, Lanvéoc (an event which also makes up part of the Longtze European Tour 2010)
 La Longtze Student Final : 9 to the 13 June, La Grande Motte
 
In addition there will be training camps at La Rochelle and La Grande Motte. The first took place last weekend in partnership with the SRRochelaises

The organisers are hoping that their circuit will have a long future. This year they expect 15 or so teams to compete, but for 2011, the organisers have tabled a fleet of possibly 25 Longtze Premiers with the signing of notably Spanish, Dutch and Swiss teams.
 
In 2010, Lufthansa will continue its involvement in sailing in becoming a partner of the Longtze Student Cup.