On Saturday and Sunday, the eight flying catamarans on the SailGP circuit compete in the last stage of the season, between the Golden Gate and Alcatraz. Show and thrills guaranteed according to Franck Cammas.
The fastest onshore multihulls in the world
“Whether or not you are familiar with regattas or flying boats, you will not be bored. The show is immediate, the magic happens right away». Saturday evening (from 10 p.m. on Canal+ Sport), Franck Cammas will be in front of his TV to follow the final of the SailGP, an onshore fleet regatta circuit (near the coast) contested in F50, the fastest flying catamaran in the world, version evolved from the one helmed by the French sailor during the 2017 America’s Cup.These are boats that exceed 50 knots (92.6 km/h). This gives magnificent images with a real impression of speed in front of the screen, which is rare and difficult to do in sailing“, continues the Aixois, regular consultant of the event for Canal + (this weekend, Thierry Fouchier will be in the cabin with the journalist Hélène Cougoule). Participating in this circuit of eight events: the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Denmark, France, Spain and Japan. Canada and Switzerland will complete the line-up for the next season (2022-2023) which will start in mid-May in Bermuda.
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Intense races formatted for TV
«Sailing has lost its appeal to the general public. Consumption patterns have changed, people no longer want to spend four or five hours in front of their TV watching a sport. For us, it was quite clear that we had to find a format to attract a new audience.” Based on this observation, Russell Coutts, New Zealand sailing legend and SailGP honcho, and American billionaire Larry Ellison imagined a concentrated show, calibrated for TV. “There are three races a day on Saturday and Sunday. These are very short and intense sprints lasting 15-20 minutes. In the end, it gives something very rhythmic over about 1h30, like a Formula 1 grand prix. We’re not bored“, decrypts Cammas.
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Permanent danger and spectacular images
Mounted on their foils, the eight boats (all identical) engage in a battle at very high speed between the buoys. There are breakages and capsizes. On board, the six sailors are equipped (helmet, reinforced vest, knife, oxygen cartridge and harness) to avoid a tragedy like the one that occurred in 2013 in San Francisco Bay during the America’s Cup (the Briton Andrew Simpson drowned after the capsize of the Swedish boat Artemis). “Yes it is dangerousplant Cammas who himself had seriously injured his foot a few years ago after hitting the foil of his catamaran. There are contacts and everything is done to concentrate the boats in the same passage gates. It constantly intersects. These are beautiful circus games, made for show. But with a very high base of sporting and technical skills with some of the best sailors in the world.” In Sydney last December, the British catamaran landed on its Japanese competitor, pulverizing the latter’s float. This week, the American and Australian boats capsized in San Francisco Bay. “The F50 gives you mind-blowing energy, it’s the ultimate boatconfides the French skipper Quentin Delapierre. You can play with the wind at crazy speeds and when you turn around, it’s your fault.»
Who is the million dollar jackpot for?
Sunday, the 3e and last regatta will crown the SailGP season 2 champion. Three teams – the first three in the general classification – will compete to win the cup. And the check for a million dollars reserved for the winner. Sacred during the first season, the Australians are mathematically guaranteed to play the final again thanks to their first place in the standings (55 pts) just like their American dolphins (53 pts). The Japanese (51 pts) hold the rope to snatch the 3rd ticket. Next come Spain (43 pts), New Zealand (42 pts) and Great Britain (41 pts) who can still dream. Denmark (38 pts) and France (35 pts) are eliminated from the race for the jackpot.
General classification before the last stage
1- AUSTRALIE/ Tom Slingsby / 55 points
2- UNITED STATES / Jimmy Spithill /
3- JAPON / Nathan Outteridge /
4- SPAIN / Phil Robertson /
5- NEW ZEALAND / Peter Burling / 42
6- GREAT BRITAIN / Ben Ainslie / 41
7- DANEMARK / Nicolai Sehested / 38
8- FRANCE / Quentin Delapierre / 35
To see where the Blues and Delapierre are
Last in the general classification and still in search of a first race won this season (it only won one practice race), the French team will try to finish on a good note between the Golden Gate and Alcatraz, grandiose setting for this final stage. The opportunity for Quentin Delapierre to show his progress, he who took the helm of the tricolor catamaran along the way after the ousting of Billy Besson last September. “It’s not easy to arrive in high season on a boat you don’t know. It’s difficult to perform immediately but it allows you to prepare for the future, observes Cammas, confident in the ability of the new French helmsman to play for the win soon. Beyond his purely technical skills, Quentin has leadership qualities. On board, everything hinges on the clarity of communication. We are pushed by the stress of the regatta and the speed. You have to be clear, concise and rigorous. Quentin has that approach. There are only competent people on board and ashore. It will end up sweating in the performance and the classification. «If we win a race this weekend, it will be a great event“, announces Delapierre. And the best way to prepare for season 3.
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