You have to wonder why they even bother.
Ever since Eric Tabarly won the OSTAR in 1964 the French have dominated the world in long-distance offshore racing. Yet, when it comes to the America’s Cup, they are a never-ending clown show. (At least in the picture, they still have the sails still sheeted in!! – ed.)
Their first attempt, in 1970, descended into farce. Facing elimination 0-4 by the Australians in the challenger series Baron Bich took the helm of his 12-metre France, got lost in the Newport fog, and was still sailing circles when Gretel II got the gun.
In 1987 the French had a fast boat, French Kiss, but were again eliminated 0-4 in the challenger semi-finals, this time by the Kiwis. The other French syndicate at Fremantle, Challenge France, went bankrupt before the racing began.
Things hadn’t improved by the 2024 AC in Barcelona. Orient Express finished last – eliminated from the Louis Vuitton Cup after winning just one race from eight.
That boat, now re-configured as La Roche-Posay, capsized and caught fire yesterday in early trials off the team base at Lorient (see above).
Allons enfants! But you really have to wonder why they bother.
