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<div id="attachment_1923" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/06/NWG-Energy-Youth2.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1923" alt="Gilles Martin-Raget" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/06/NWG-Energy-Youth2.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Gilles Martin-Raget</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify"><b>The names of the seven sailors who will race aboard the French AC45 as part of the Next World Energy team at the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup have been revealed. To select the young sailors who will represent the Yacht Club de France in San Francisco this September, Energy Team worked in partnership with the French Sailing Federation and the “French Youth Team”. Below is an introduction to the crew.<br />
</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">The cast has been chosen: Arthur Ponroy, Antoine Lauriot-Prévost, Hubert Savatier, Romain Bellet, Valentin Bellet, Paul Dagault, and Edouard-Marie Alikiagaléléi will race in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, taking place in San Francisco, this September 1-4. Before they race at the highest level onboard the AC45, the team will meet together on Monday for a new two-week training session at the National Sailing School of Quiberon, in Formula 18 and Open 7.50.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Energy Team, French Youth Team and FFVoile: three entities for one selection</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">The final crew members that were selected to be a part of Next World Energy is the result of a selection process that started in May 2012 with the official launch of the “French Youth Team.” Created and directed by Vincent Guého, the organization aimed to present a French team at the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. Youngsters united around the project, which received the support of the French Sailing Federation, and aroused the interest of the adult Energy Team. “We followed the growth of the French Youth Team closely and decided very quickly to get in touch. The FYT had a pool of racers, we had the boat, and potentially the budget to get us in the race,” said Antoine Mermod, team manager of the French challenger. After a first screening the sailors took part in a few annex races, notably on Open 7.50, and also trained aboard the AC45 with Energy Team in Naples. “Racing on the actual boat of the Youth America’s Cup allowed us to observe the young sailors out on the ocean, better understand their individual skills and also identify areas for improvement. We found that they are all good sailors, with great human and technical qualities,” says Antoine Mermod. The team selection took place during a ten day training session in May in Lorient, with the Extreme 40, loaned by the Groupama Sailing Team. At the end of this complicated, but instructive session, Energy Team, in partnership with French Youth Team and the French Sailing Federation, were able to decide on a coherent and efficient crew.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Seven young sailors with complementary skills</strong><br />
Seven sailors all under the age of 25 have been selected to represent the Yacht Club de France this September in San Francisco.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Arthur-Ponroy.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1886" alt="Arthur Ponroy" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Arthur-Ponroy.jpg" width="186" height="279" /></a>Arthur Ponroy, Skipper (age 23)</strong><br />
The skipper of the AC45 that will race in the colors of Next World Group already has great experience with habitable boats and with a crew, including the Tour de France à la Voile, where he competes for the fourth time this summer aboard the <i>M34 Courrier Dunkerque</i>. Smart, unifying, and very sharp in his analysis and decisions, onboard he will hold the position of Wing Trimmer or Bowman.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/A-Lauriot-Prévost.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1889" alt="A Lauriot Prévost" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/A-Lauriot-Prévost.jpg" width="186" height="279" /></a>Antoine Lauriot-Prévost, Helmsman (age 23)</strong><br />
Son of the famous naval architect Vincent Lauriot-Prévost, Antoine followed the same career path. Talented in sport catamaran (Hobie Cat 16, F18) as with habitable boats and fine helmsman, he is also appreciated for his good humor.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Hubert-Savatier.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1895" alt="Hubert Savatier" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Hubert-Savatier.jpg" width="186" height="279" /></a>Hubert Savatier, Tactician (age 22)</strong><br />
Hubert is also a jack-of-all-trades who has sailed both a sports catamaran and habitable boat, (Tour de France à la Voile, Match Race). He is rigorous, versatile and physically well prepared. His discretion on land hides a strong personality at sea.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Romain-Bellet.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1893" alt="Romain Bellet" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Romain-Bellet.jpg" width="186" height="279" /></a>Romain Bellet, Bowman or Wing Trimmer (age 20)</strong><br />
The youngest of the team, alongside his brother Valentin, he is one of the best specialists in sports catamarans (SL 16, Hobie 16, F18). He is tough, explosive and mentally very strong.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Valentin-Bellet.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1891" alt="Valentin Bellet" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Valentin-Bellet.jpg" width="186" height="279" /></a>Valentin Bellet, Trimmer (age 22)</strong><br />
He has the same pedigree as his brother, but not quite the same character. As the calmer one, he is able to channel the enthusiasm of the crew. His young age also has not prevented him from possessing wide nautical knowledge. He can do everything on board.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Paul-Dagault.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1897" alt="Paul Dagault" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Paul-Dagault.jpg" width="186" height="279" /></a>Paul Dagault, Bowman (age 22)</strong><br />
Specialist in habitable boats, he has good experience in Match Racing and M34 – he will be aboard <i>Sodebo</i> for the next Tour de France à la Voile. He is physically well-prepared and has solid technical competency. His kindness and humor do not spoil any of his qualities as a seaman.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Edouard-Marie Alikiagaléléi, Bowman or Trimmer (age 23)</strong><br />
Match Racing, Tour de France à la Voile: Edouard-Marie is a product of the habitable boat field. Like Arthur Ponroy, he will be part of the <i>Courrier Dunkerque</i> crew at the next edition of the Tour. His physical qualities and kindness are extraordinary.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Career highlights for the seven selected team members</strong><br />
<strong>Arthur Ponroy</strong><br />
<b>2012:</b> 2nd in the Tour de France à la Voile M34<br />
2nd in the Grand Prix Ecole Navale<br />
<b>2011:</b> 3rd in the French Championship in J80<br />
Winner of the Tour de France à la Voile<br />
<b>2010</b> World Champion in Farr30<br />
2nd in the Tour de France à la Voile</p>
<p><strong>Antoine Lauriot Prévost<br />
</strong><b>2012:</b> 3rd in the Course Croisière EDHEC<br />
<b>2011:</b> Winner of the Tour de France à la Voile (amateur ranking)<br />
<b>2010:</b> Season in F18<br />
<b>2009:</b> 2nd Hobie Cat 16 Catagolfe<br />
<b>2008:</b> Champion of France Youth Hobie Cat 16<br />
<b>2007:</b> European Champion Hobie Cat 16</p>
<p><strong>Hubert Savatier</strong><br />
<b>2013:</b> 4th in the Championship Match Race France<br />
<b>2012:</b> 6th at Normandy Sailing Week<br />
<b>2011:</b> Champion of France in Keel boat<br />
2nd in Tour de France à la Voile<br />
<b>2010:</b> Vice Champion of France in University Match Racing<br />
<b>2009: </b>Vice World Champion youth F18<br />
<b>2008:</b> 3rd in the World Championship SL16 Open</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Romain Bellet</strong><br />
<b>2013</b>: 3rd in National W18<br />
<b>2012:</b> Winner of the “Coupe des Iles d’Or” in C1<br />
<b>2011:</b> European Champion Youth F18<br />
<b>2010:</b> Vice World Champion SL16<br />
3rd European Championship Youth Hobie Cat 16<br />
<b>2009:</b> Vice world champion ISAF Hobie Cat 16<br />
SL16 World Open champion<br />
Young Champion of France SL16<br />
<b>2008:</b> World Champion Kids SL16</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Valentin Bellet</strong><br />
<b>2013:</b> 3rd National W18<br />
<b>2012:</b> Winner of the Eurocat in Viper<br />
<b>2011</b>: European Champion Kids F18<br />
<b>2010:</b> 3rd in the European Youth Championships in Hobie Cat 16<br />
<b>2009</b>: Vice world champion ISAF Hobie Cat 16<br />
SL16 World Open champion<br />
Young Champion of France SL16<br />
<b>2008:</b> World Champion Kids SL16</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Paul Dagault</strong><br />
<b>2012:</b> 3rd in the championship of France Match Racing Open<br />
4th in the Grand Prix Guyader M34<br />
4th in the Grand Prix Ecole Navale in M34<br />
<b>2011:</b> 6th in the Tour de France à la Voile<br />
7th of France for International Match Racing<br />
3rd Championship France Young Match Racing</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Edouard-Marie Alikiagaléléi</strong><br />
<b>2013:</b> Winner of the championship of France J80<br />
<b>2012:</b> 2nd in the Tour de France à la Voile<br />
<b>2011:</b> Winner of the Tour de France à la Voile amateur ranking (seventh overall)<br />
2nd International Match Race in France<br />
<b>2010:</b> Winner of World Championship FARR 30</p>
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<p>Sorry, this entry is only available in <a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/fr/tag/featured-energy-post/?json=1&count=16">Français</a>.</p>
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<div id="attachment_1861" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/8673743749_63e5dab928_b-copy.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1861" alt="Gilles Martin-Raget" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/8673743749_63e5dab928_b-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Gilles Martin-Raget</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;">During the first week of September, in between the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup finals, the city of San Francisco will be hosting the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, for teams with members under 24 years old. The AC45 of France’s Next World Energy team will be taking part in this high-level competition. In order to prep the young competitors who will represent France, a sports partnership has been signed between Next World Energy and the French Sailing Federation.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The French challenger ENERGY TEAM was to introduce a youth crew at the San Francisco competition. “Our objective is to take part in the America’s Cup in four years, so it makes sense for us to prepare for the future,” explains Antonie Mermod, Technical Director of Energy Team. With the support of Next World Group, a European firm based in San Francisco, the team put in place a recruitment plan, and together with FFVoile began selecting the team members at the end of 2012. Up until the final selection is made for the San Francisco race (only six sailors and one alternate will be selected to be on board of the AC45) the young individuals being considered are training on various boats. In Naples on the AC45, sponsored by the Swiss watchmaker Corum, on an Open 7.50 at the Spi Ouest in France, and more recently at the Belle-Ile race, as well as at the Trofeo Pirelli in Portofino on Extreme40.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The recent partnership that was signed with the French Sailing Federation gives these young sailors a serious “power boost.” FFVoile’s commitment focuses on two aspects: first, they played a big role in the selection of the young team, “<em>which is essential for FFVoile since they are usually more focused on youth and training, while we are obviously more used to working with professional sailors,”</em> says Antoine Mermod.</p>
<p>According to Jacques Cathelineau, National Technical Director, the selection of this young team is a real success. “<em>At the end of 2012, we worked with the French Youth Team and executives of the Federation (Marc Bouet, Franck Citeau) on two selection sessions in multihull at La Grande Motte. The athletes came from various backgrounds which makes it very interesting. We hope that this experience will be highly beneficial for them and their future careers.” </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In addition, FFVoile is providing logistical and technical support during three intensive training sessions. The first one is currently taking place in Lorient from May 13-24, on an Extreme 40 catamaran, the closest to an AC45 to date. Antoine Mermod states that “<em>The Federation not only offers its boats and training materials, but more importantly their coaches, physical trainers and well-rounded techniques. For example, we are working with Marc Bouet (the French reference in Match-Race) to prepare and conduct the training sessions. With Energy Team we have experience on the AC45 and AC World Series, and the Federation has experience training very skilled young sailors, at high level of performance and in various areas. This is a collaboration that can only be beneficial. Our experiences are complementary and Next World Energy’s young sailors should be able to get the most of it.”</em></p>
<p>It is also important to note that French National Sailing School’s (ENV) expertise together with FFVoile’s experience will be put to use in training the team. Two executives from the School will participate during these sessions. Stéphane Krause will be responsible for the physical preparation of the crew, which is particularly important as the AC45 is deemed to be extremely physical. Yves Clouet will bring his Multihull expertise to complement Marc Bouet’s contributions as coach & coordinator for FFVoile.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The next three months are going to be very intense for these young sailors as they immerse into the various aspects of the sailing world (the light, environment, competition, and the race at large), and amongst intense weather, they will also sail other boats and take part in different training sessions. The goal is to be the best prepared to represent France and compete at the highest level with the other nine youth teams from around the world. They will seek “their” America’s Cup, in the heart of the mythical San Francisco Bay, admired by sailors around the world.</p>
<p><strong>Quotes:</strong><br />
Jean-Pierre Champion, President of the French Sailing Federation: “<em>This partnership between the French Sailing Federation, the Energy Team and French Youth Team will enable this young and motivated team to benefit from preparation and coaching that meets the height of their ambitions. The French Sailing Federation fully meets its selection and training role. Next World Group’s recent commitment to this team provides an opportunity for the young crew to represent France in optimal conditions during the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. “</em></p>
<div id="attachment_1862" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/8673741611_ef564bd90d_b-copy.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1862" alt="Gilles Martin-Raget" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/8673741611_ef564bd90d_b-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Gilles Martin-Raget</p></div>
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<div id="attachment_1842" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Belle-Ile.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1842 " alt="SAILING/SPI OUEST FRANCE 2010" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Belle-Ile.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">DPPI</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify">The Open 7.50 Energy Incidence, which took part in the last edition of the Spi Ouest France, will be competing this weekend in the sixth Round Belle-Ile race, where no fewer than 500 boats will be out on the water. An exceptional event with sailors coming together from all sorts of backgrounds. The crew of the Open 7.50 Energy Incidence includes four members of Next World Energy, with Charles Hainneville, Antoine Lauriot-Prévost, Romain ad Valentin Bellet taking advantage of the opportunity to do battle and continue their preparation before they take part this summer in the Youth America’s Cup. For Romain and Valentin, it also represents an opportunity to train for the F18 National Championships in which they will be competing from 8<sup>th</sup> to 16<sup>th</sup> May in Brest. They will be joined in Belle-Ile by two crewmen from the sailmakers, Incidence, one from Brest and the other from La Rochelle.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">They will be out on the water on Saturday 5th May from 10 in the morning in Quiberon Bay.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">
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<div id="attachment_1831" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/DSC_3100-2-copy.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1831" alt="Stéphanie Billarant/Energy Team" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/DSC_3100-2-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Stéphanie Billarant/Energy Team</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify">After Naples and the announcement that the young French team NEXT WORLD ENERGY will be competing in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup (San Francisco from 1st to 4th September), the team’s programme has been filling up so that the French youngsters have a wide range of opportunities to train on various types of boat. This weekend four of the crewmen of NEXT WORLD ENERGY, led by Bruno Peyron, will be taking part in the TROFEO PIRELLI in Portofino (Italy). They will be facing three other Extreme 40s. It all begins on Sunday with on board the French Extreme 40, Charles Hainneville, Arthur Ponroy, Hubert Savatier and Romain Bellet. They will be facing 3 other Extreme 40s, each sailed by a leading skipper, Francesco de Angelis, Torben Grael and Tommaso Chieffi. These four days of match racing and exhibition races will be taking place between 28th April and 1st May in the paradise waters of Portofino. There will be plenty of pictures to see next week…</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Meanwhile in Southern Brittany, two other members of NEXT WORLD ENERGY, Antoine Lauriot-Prévost and Valentin Bellet, will be out competing in the EUROCAT in Carnac aboard their F18s. On Saturday afternoon, ENERGY TEAM came up with an idea that has been set up by Vincent Guého of NEXT WORLD ENERGY, where between 8 and 10 Viper type catamarans will be doing battle over an America’s Cup type race course. A great opportunity to get ready for the national championships (Brest from 8th to 16th May) and to train for the Youth America’s Cup. Antoine Lauriot-Prévost has just taken part alongside Yann Guichard in a week of training in Geneva aboard a Decision 35 and will be ready for this show on Saturday off Carnac.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Bruno Peyron: “<em>It is a huge pleasure for me to be able to accompany the team in Portofino to see exactly how they are progressing on these new boats. This weekend in Carnac, the America’s Cup format that I suggested for the Eurocat was put in place by Vincent Gueho and Viper. I believe this is the ideal format to prepare for the Youth AC. The start is so important that they need to be fully ready. Thanks to the Eurocat for accepting this idea. It’s going to be a lively event in Carnac this weekend”.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/CREW-au-rappel-1_GMR-copy.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1817" alt="CREW au rappel (1)_GMR copy" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/CREW-au-rappel-1_GMR-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong><br />
After the America’s Cup World Series, which took place in Naples, Italy from April 18-21, 2013, the next big event for ENERGY TEAM is the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in San Francisco September 1st to the 4th. In this competition, with 10 teams from 8 different countries participating, France will be represented by a youth crew all under the age of 25, taking the helm of the Peyron brothers’ AC45. After establishing a financial and operational partnership with Next World Group, an investment firm with a European background based in San Francisco, the youth crew has officially become NEXT WORLD ENERGY.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Youth, innovation and technology…</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">This decision by Next World Group shows above all their commitment to supporting a young team of athletes with a lot of potential, and their participation in a competition where the power of teamwork mixes with the virtues of an eco-friendly and high-tech sport. Won over by the values conveyed by this team sport, but also by the youthful and innovative nature of this forward-looking project, Next World Group is not only providing financial and logistical support, but also with operations and relations with local contacts. These are major factors in ensuring the team’s success, and provides the investment firm an opportunity to experience the preparation for the competition from the inside out.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>The Next World Energy crew</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">The team representing France at the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup will be led by Charles Hainneville, vice-champion of the 2012 Youth World Championship in F18, and selected with the support of the French Sailing Federation and Yacht Club of France. He will be assisted by the wing trimmer Antoine Lauriot-Prévost, Romain and Valentin Bellet, Hubert Savatier, Arthur Ponroy and Paul Dagault. In this fall’s competition in San Francisco, the youth team will be accompanied by the adult Energy Team and members of the French Sailing Federation in every step of their preparation. Training began in Naples where the youth crew completed a solid training program aboard the AC45 with Energy Team.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Quotes:</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Sébastien Lépinard, CEO Next World Group: “<i>A lot of the values of Next World Group are represented in the Youth America’s Cup: technology, performance, environmental well-being, team spirit, youthfulness, international competition, etc. Many of these elements are indeed quite simply the key values of our time. But looking beyond this similarity, it is what we can offer as an operational partner and not merely as a financial backer that convinced us to get involved. This is, in fact, our way of doing things in all of our business activities at Next World Group. Experiencing the project from the inside and actively contributing to the success is our reward.” </i></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Bruno Peyron, CEO Energy Team: “<i>We are committed to our support for this team of young, talented sailors in the Youth America’s Cup. This commitment expresses the idea at the heart of our project to pass something on.. We are pleased to welcome aboard Next World Group in this exciting challenge, which gives an idea of the sort of development program that I am increasingly keen to promote. Based in San Francisco and already involved in setting up the Energy Team Bay Area Supporters since last summer, they will be a valuable help to us with their local knowledge and contacts. I’d also like to thank Yann and all of the pro team, who carried out their job as coaches for the youngsters this week in Naples in a most enthusiastic way and willingly shared their skills.</i>“</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/CrewEnergyNextWorld-copy.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1819" alt="17/04/2013 - Napoli (ITA) - America's Cup World Series Naples 2013 -" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/CrewEnergyNextWorld-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>About the Next World Group
</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Next World Group is a privately held, global investment firm focused on long-term growth strategies. We strive to deliver superior financial performance while achieving positive impact on society. We invest as long-term partners through four strategies: global investments, venture capital, growth investing and philanthropy. Next World Group is based in San Francisco with offices in Brussels and Paris. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.nextworldgroup.com" target="_blank">www.nextworldgroup.com</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.nextworldgroup.com" target="_blank"><img class="size-full wp-image-1827 alignleft" alt="Logo Next World Group" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/Resize-Wizard-1-copy2-e1366880235647.jpg" width="280" height="65" /></a></p>
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<div id="attachment_1812" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/DSC_8044-copy.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1812" alt="Stéphanie Billarant" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/DSC_8044-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Stéphanie Billarant</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>The crew of the French ENERGY TEAM led by Yann Guichard came close to pulling off something of a shock on Sunday in the seventh and final race in the America’s Cup World Series, in Naples. After getting off to an excellent start, the French quickly moved to the front of the fleet ahead of the Americans on Oracle Team USA led by Tom Slingsby with whom they went on to fight a duel. But in the end, after an exceptionally exciting race, it was the Italians on Luna Rossa Swordfish led by the excellent Francesco Bruni, who went on to win in front of the local crowds, who had turned up in their thousands in Naples. ENERGY TEAM finished in 4<sup>th</sup> place on Super Sunday and sixth in the overall rankings for the ACWS Naples. </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Fleet Race 7: The French get off to a good start</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The conditions were just right today (Sunday) in the Bay of Naples, where it was time for Super Sunday, the final fleet race counting towards the 2013 America’s Cup World Series. All of the competitors set off as the gun was fired, with Oracle Team USA crossing the line first just ahead of the French on ENERGY TEAM, who then went on to grab the lead a few seconds later. A long duel would follow between the two frontrunners, who regularly passed in front of each other with the lead going from one to the other. Quite some way back, the two Luna Rossa boats were battling it out followed by Ben Ainslie (BAR) and Emirates Team New Zealand with the mighty Dean Barker at the helm.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">As they rounded Gate 3, the French were in the lead and sailed off to the left hand side of the race course, while Oracle was struggling with the Italians on Luna Rossa Swordfish, who moved into second place. ENERGY TEAM had a lead of twenty seconds at the mark, sped away at the front at almost 18 knots under gennaker, with a lead of 100 metres over Luna Rossa and Oracle. But you could rely on the talent of the Americans to make a comeback and they rounded Gate 4 just 3 seconds behind the French. ENERGY set off to the right-hand side of the course with Oracle going to the left, followed by the two Luna Rossa boats, while Ben Ainslie was some way back. Oracle went on to take the lead in the race in this long upwind leg taking the fleet to mark 5. It was as they rounded this windward gate that Francesco Bruni’s Italians got back in the running and pipped the French to the post. At Gate 5, Oracle set off to the left and Luna Rossa went to the right followed by ENERGY TEAM, who gave it their all on this final downwind leg. But Luna Rossa would soon gybe to catch Oracle and take the lead, while the French continued on their long leg on the left towards mark 6. The French were in third place at the sixth mark before getting overtaken by Luna Rossa Piranha. The final leg to the finish saw victory go to Francesco Bruni on Luna Rossa Swordfish, ahead of Tom Slingsby on Oracle Team USA, Luna Rossa Piranha and Energy Team.</p>
<p><strong>Comments:</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Bruno Peyron: “<em>Clearly it was a mix today of some good things and other things that were not quite as good on Super Sunday. Once again Yann got off to a great start, which has improved his statistics to a success rate of more than 80% in terms of fast starts. Then, there was an exciting battle with Oracle Team USA. We grabbed the lead on the third leg, but chose the wrong side for 30 seconds and at this level, you can’t afford such mistakes. The penalty at the final mark was however more difficult to understand, but that’s part of the game and we have to accept that. We would have liked to finish with a performance matching our ambitions, but we have to come to terms with the fact that the Top Teams are out in front. The group showed that they have the standard required to fight at the highest level in these World Series events. But we still need to have the means to achieve those ambitions. That will be the next stage: we need to give the team the means to fight, not just enabling them to pull off a miracle now and then, but consolidating everything for the long term</em>.”</p>
<p><strong>Final rankings of fleet races ACWS Naples</strong></p>
<p>1 LUNA ROSSA SWORDFISH 80<br />
2 ORACLE TEAM USA SLINGSBY 80<br />
3 EMIRATES TEAM NZ 71<br />
4 LUNA ROSSA PIRANHA 70<br />
5 J.P. MORGAN BAR 65<br />
6 ENERGY TEAM 58<br />
7 ARTEMIS 40<br />
8 HS RACING 36<br />
9 CHINA TEAM 30</p>
<div id="attachment_1811" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/DSC_7534-copy.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1811" alt="Stéphanie Billarant" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/DSC_7534-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Stéphanie Billarant</p></div>
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<div id="attachment_1804" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/Energy_GMR-copy.jpeg.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1804" alt="Gilles Martin-Raget" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/Energy_GMR-copy.jpeg.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Gilles Martin-Raget</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>One day is very different from another for Energy Team. Unable to line up for the start of the first race due to a technical problem on Saturday, Yann Guichard’s crew finished sixth in the second race of the day. Fifth in the overall rankings, the French are nevertheless still in with a chance of making it to the podium on Super Sunday, with the final race marking the conclusion of this Naples leg of the AC World Series. A lot could indeed change tomorrow (Sunday) with one final fleet race with the winner attributed 40 points – as opposed to 12 points in the first six.</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Fleet Race 5</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Because of a technical<b> </b>problem with the martingale on the Energy Team AC45, Yann Guichard and his men were unable to line up for the start of the fifth race in Naples. The race was won by Emirates Team New Zealand, who were really on form today, ahead of Oracle Team USA and Luna Rossa Piranha. They quickly dealt with the problem and the minor damage would not stop the French team from competing in the second race of the day.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Fleet Race 6</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">After getting off to some great starts yesterday, Yann Guichard hoped to confirm this success in the only fleet race of the day in which he could compete in Naples in light winds and choppy seas. Unfortunately, the start of the race was tricky for Energy Team who rounded the first mark in seventh place. On the first downwind leg, the AC45s chose the right hand side of the race course, except for the French crew. This strategy paid off, as they moved up three places by the second mark: a great comeback. The first upwind leg was not as kind to the French: they were in fifth place at mark 3, 28 seconds behind the leader, Luna Rossa Swordfish and neck and neck with the other Italian boat, Luna Rossa Piranha in fourth place. Ahead of them, Francesco Bruni (Luna Rossa Swordfish), Dean Barker (Emirates Team New Zealand) and Ben Ainslie (JP Morgan BAR) widened the gap and even if you could count on nothing on this race course in Naples, it clearly looked like victory would go to one of them. The race to mark 4 was quick, with the multihulls flying along at almost 20 knots with Energy Team remaining in 5<sup>th</sup> place at the mark. But they really needed to keep an eye on eager, young Tom Slingsby (Oracle Team USA), who got dangerously close to them on the final upwind leg and ended up overtaking them. 6<sup>th</sup> as they started on the final downwind descent towards the finishing line, Yann Guichard had to ward off attacks from the other American boat, HS Racing. But he managed to do that and ended up in 6<sup>th</sup> place in a race won once again by Emirates Team New Zealand, ahead of Luna Rossa Swordfish and JP Morgan BAR. Energy Team, 5<sup>th</sup> in the overall rankings is just ten points off the podium, and will really want to show what they can do tomorrow in the final decisive fleet race.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Naples</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> fleet race rankings after the third day and before Super Sunday:</span></strong></p>
<p>1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) / Dean Barker 60 pts (1st/4th/5th/3rd/1st/1st)<br />
2. Oracle Team USA (USA) / Tom Slingsby 55 pts (2nd/6th/1st/2nd/2nd/5th)<br />
3. JP Morgan Bar (GBR) / Ben Ainslie 52 pts (3rd/1st/6th/4th/4th/3rd)<br />
4. Luna Rossa Piranha (ITA) / Chris Draper 50 pts (4th/2nd/4th/5th/3rd/4th)<br />
<b>5. </b><b>Energy Team (FRA) / Yann Guichard 42 pts (7th/3rd/2nd/1st/DNS/6th)</b><b><br />
</b>6. Luna Rossa Swordfish (ITA) / Francesco Bruni 40 pts (5th/5th/3rd/DNF/5th/2nd)<br />
7. Artemis Racing (SWE) / Charlie Ekberg 31 pts (6th/7th/7th/7th/6th/8th)<br />
8. HS Racing (USA) / Roman Hagara 26 pts (8th/9th/8th/6th/8th/7th)<br />
9. China Team (CHN) / Mitch Booth 22 pts (9th/8th/9th/8th/7th/9th)</p>
<div id="attachment_1799" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/DSC_7286-copy.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1799" alt="Stéphanie Billarant" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/DSC_7286-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Stéphanie Billarant</p></div>
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<div id="attachment_1793" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/NPL13D4_1725-copy.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1793" alt="Gilles Martin-Raget/ACEA" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/NPL13D4_1725-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Gilles Martin-Raget/ACEA</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>They finished second before winning in today’s two fleet races. With Yann Guichard at the helm, the French crew on Energy Team was almost perfect today for the second day of the AC World Series in Naples. A performance worthy of champions, which puts them back in the running in the overall rankings. Out of the four races so far run in Naples, Energy Team has made it to the podium on three occasions including one win. The result is that they have taken a giant leap forward in the overall rankings, going from fifth to second place. A truly great day.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Second in Fleet Race 3</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In spite of getting a penalty, which they quickly executed in the pre-start phase, Energy Team with Yann Guichard at the helm was up with the frontrunners from the start. The French AC45 managed to round the first buoy in third position, just ahead of the Italians on Luna Rossa Swordfish, who were playing on their home ground and Oracle Team USA skippered by the talented young Australian, Tom Slingsby. The breeze blowing at around ten knots was a little more stable and the local effects less noticeable in the Bay of Naples today. Early this afternoon, the wind was still moderate, but the this third fleet in Naples race saw the boats racing at around 13 knots upwind and almost 20 knots downwind. On the first upwind leg, Energy Team warded off attacks from the other Italian AC45 and by the third mark, Yann Guichard was up there on the provisional podium. After just 11 minutes of racing, they had already reached the fourth mark and the three frontrunners remained in front: Francesco Bruni led ahead of Tom Slingsby and Yann Guichard. Energy Team was still under threat from Luna Rossa Piranha and Emirates Team New Zealand , but the French sailed perfectly and managed to avoid committing any mistakes… quite the reverse. At the fifth mark, Yann Guichard won priority over Luna Rossa as in the sailing manuals and grabbed second place. On the final leg, Energy Team held on to this great second position right up to the finish, which they reached 19 seconds after the winner Oracle and 19 seconds ahead of Luna Rossa Swordfish. Yann Guichard’s crew had made it to the podium for the second time in a row after three races and move up a notch in the rankings. We should add that there was a rather disappointing performance from the two leaders in the overall rankings, Ben Ainslie and Dean Barker, who finished respectively sixth and fifth. But for the French, it was an excellent start to the day.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Fleet Race 4 won by Energy Team</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The crew of Energy Team was on fire. A great start and in the first few magnificent legs they were leading the fleet of AC45s. With the wind freshening a little, Yann Guichard and his men sent the sparks flying and were way out in front at the first three marks. They made perfect use of the wind and built up their speed managing to get a lead of more than 200 metres between marks 3 and 4. Energy Team rounded the fourth buoy after 10 minutes of racing, some 19 seconds ahead of Oracle, 36 seconds ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand, 42 ahead of Luna Rossa Piranha and with a lead of more than one minute over Ben Ainslie (JP Morgan Bar). The next upwind leg was a little bit trickier with Dean Barker’s Kiwis and Tom Slingsby leading the American team initially managing to narrow the gap, but Yann Guichard proved once again that he knows how to manage such a lead and remain ahead. After 16 minutes of racing, Energy Team, rounded the fifth mark with a relatively comfortable lead: 23 and 38 seconds, before setting off at high speed downwind sailing at almost 22 knots with a lead of 250 metres. They rounded the sixth mark in perfect style and Yann Guichard and his men sailed away to a magnificent victory. After 20 minutes, it was all over: a huge win for Energy Team, who showed themselves today to be on champion form, finishing second and then winning. This fantastic day in Naples gives them a real boost in the rankings. What a race!</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Yann Guichard: “A magnificent day!”</strong><br />
“W<i>e got off to two great starts and then sailed well. This was a magnificent day for Energy Team! On these boats, you are always close to the edge, particularly in the start phase. We clearly saw that today in the second race, when four boats got penalized at the start. We’re really pleased, as rather frustrated with the match racing result yesterday against Ben Ainslie, when we lost out after getting off to a fantastic start. Today, after a long debriefing and some adjustments to the boat, we overcame that and everything went smoothly. I’m really pleased with the team… I hope that everyone and the French in particular enjoyed watching us sail like that today.”</i></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>The Naples Fleet Race rankings after the second day:</strong><br />
1. Oracle Team USA (USA) / Tom Slingsby 38 pts (2nd/6th/1st/2nd)<br />
2. Energy Team (FRA) / Yann Guichard 36 pts (7th/3rd/2nd/1st)<br />
3. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) / Dean Barker 36 pts (1st/4th/5th/3rd)<br />
4. JP Morgan Bar (GBR) / Ben Ainslie 35 pts (3rd/1st/6th/4th)<br />
5. Luna Rossa Piranha (ITA) / Chris Draper 33 pts (4th/2nd/4th/5th)<br />
6. Luna Rossa Swordfish (ITA) / Francesco Bruni 23 pts (5th/5th/3rd/DNF)<br />
7. Artemis Racing (SWE) / Charlie Ekberg 21 pts (6th/7th/7th/7the)<br />
8. HS Racing (USA) / Roman Hagara 17 pts (8th/9th/8th/6th)<br />
9. China Team (CHN) / Mitch Booth 14 pts (9th/8th/9th/8th)</p>
<p><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/NPL13D2_0806-copy.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1797" alt="NPL13D2_0806 copy" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/NPL13D2_0806-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a></p>
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<div id="attachment_1785" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/Energy_Naples_J1-copy.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1785" alt="Gilles Martin-Raget/ACEA" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/Energy_Naples_J1-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Gilles Martin-Raget/ACEA</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The conditions were complicated today in Naples for the start of the AC World Series: the thermal breeze, which was very variable in strength and direction created a lot of worries for the skippers. The crew of Energy Team achieved a fine performance from the match race quarter final, even if they lost out to Ben Ainslie. In the two fleet races that followed, Energy Team finished seventh and then third. So a rather uneven day… but it’s always good to get up there on the podium.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Match Race / Quarter final. Energy Team Vs JP Morgan Bar</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">A difficult task for the match race quarter final. Early this afternoon, Energy Team was up against J.P Morgan Bar, skippered by the towering “Big Ben”, in other words the Olympic champion Ben Ainslie. Against all expectations, the French came out on top in the pre-start phase. Yann Guichard manoeuvred the boat down to the millimetre and managed to get priority: just as in the racing manuals, he forced JP Morgan right to the end of the line, meaning they got extremely close to the committee boat. Spectacular and magnificent. Energy Team therefore got a good advantage at the start, but on the third leg on the starboard tack, with each boat on either side of the race course, J.P Morgan Bar took advantage of a wind shift and got ahead… It was then all to play for, and on several occasions the boats came very close to each other speeding along at almost 20 knots and very often up on one hull. But Energy Team had to bear away and the English rounded the third mark with a lead of 9 seconds. At the fourth mark in this very short duel, which just lasted ten minutes, it was all over: JP Morgan went on to win. Ben Ainslie managed to grab the only opportunity to come his way and luck was on his side. He won this first quarter final by 15 seconds. Energy Team could rightly feel disappointed, but have no reason to reproach themselves: the French were right up there with their rivals.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Fleet Race 1: </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In the middle of the line, Energy Team got off to a good start with the first group along with the overall favourites, Oracle, Emirates Team New Zealand and Artemis. The second leg was unfortunately not very favourable for the French. They were very unlucky in choosing their mark with the wind dropping off and found themselves at the rear of the fleet. At the windward buoy (mark 3), watched by thousands of local spectators in Naples, Oracle was in front ahead of Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Piranha… but the American AC45 got a penalty for going outside the boundary. Dean Barker could not have hoped for more and grabbed the lead enabling the Kiwis to be first to round the fourth mark. Energy Team struggled to get away from last place… and managed to do just that in a battle, overtaking China Team and HS Racing. At the end of this first fleet race in Naples after 21 minutes of racing, Dean Barker and the New Zealanders grabbed victory ahead of the Americans on Oracle and the English on JP Morgan Bar, who took third place. Energy Team had to make do with finishing seventh.</p>
<div id="attachment_1748" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/02/N03_1604-copy.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1748" alt="Gilles Martin-Raget" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/02/N03_1604-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Gilles Martin-Raget</p></div>
<p><strong>Fleet Race 2: </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The thermal breeze, which was very unstable and disturbed by local effects, strengthened a notch for this second fleet race… before dropping off again. There are places out on the race course, where there is literally no wind and others where the wind funnels through, making it all the more complicated for the skippers to make the right choices.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Energy Team got off to an excellent start, while Artemis and China Team crossed the line too soon. Yann Guichard moved into the middle and played it very well: 4th, then third behind Ben Ainslie’s and Chris Draper’s AC45. More importantly, these three widened the gap ahead of the pack. Only Emirates Team New Zealand, winner of the day’s first race, remained a threat and a very serious one at that. At the third mark, Energy Team rounded in third place ahead of Dean Barker’s Kiwis. At the fourth mark, the French managed to ward off an attack from Emirates Team New Zealand and the three frontrunners, Ben Ainslie, Chris Draper and Yann Guichard would remain in that order. The wind dropped right off at times and in certain places, which gave a few worrying moments to the Energy Team supporters, with the French AC45 remaining under threat from the New Zealand boat. They had to give it their all… but without panicking, Yann Guichard and his men managed to remain ahead and therefore achieve their first podium place, which was fully deserved on this opening day.</p>
<p><b>Yann Guichard’s reaction</b>: “<i>We just weren’t lucky in the</i> <i>Match Race against Ben Ainslie, after getting off to such a great start. We chose the wrong side of the race course, which meant we lost our advantage and simply couldn’t catch Ben again. In the fleet races, we had some good starts, but after a poor gybe, we got overtaken in the first fleet race. Fortunately, we saved our honour in Race 2 with some good sailing and making it up to third place and managing to keep that position right up to the finish in spite of the pressure from Dean Barker (Team New Zealand). Overall, we can see that what we thought would happen, has happened. The teams that trained throughout the winter put in a great performance.”</i></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify"><strong><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/DSC_2255-copy.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1777" alt="DSC_2255 copy" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/DSC_2255-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a>The AC World Series de Naples begins on Thursday 16<sup>th</sup> April and will see the elite AC45 crews doing battle. Led by Yann Guichard, the French crew on Energy Team have a tough fight ahead of them against competitors that have been training for a long time.<br />
</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">The final AC45 event before the Louis Vuitton Cup, the AC World Series in Naples looks like being extremely spectacular, as it is expected to be raced in the sunshine and near perfect conditions, with a moderate thermal breeze. Yann Guichard, who will be at the helm of the Energy Team AC45, is expecting 8 to 14 knots of wind on relatively calm seas. <i>“In any case, we are not going to be facing the sort of extreme conditions we experienced last year, when the wind was too strong… or indeed much too weak.”</i><br />
Between Vesuvius and Capri, the Bay of Naples will offer “<i>one final opportunity to shine in a magnificent setting, with the boats sailing right up close to the breakwater,”</i> explained the pilot of Energy Team. Most of the French crew remains unchanged with Christophe André, Arnaud Jarlegan, and Devan Le Bihan. The only change from the last event is the arrival of Christophe Espagnon as wing trimmer. “<i>We know Christophe very well – we went through an Olympic training together – and he has settled in very well,” </i>Yann told us.<i><br />
</i><br />
<strong>Outsiders… with ambitions<br />
</strong>Energy Team has been training in Naples for ten days with the main aim of working on their manoeuvres and ensuring the team works well together down to the smallest detail. Yann Guichard tells us more: “<i>We have been sailing every day; in the morning with the youngsters in the Youth Team, and in the afternoon with the usual crew on the AC45. It’s really important to get in as much sailing as possible, as our major rivals have been training a lot on their boats, particularly the teams which also have an AC72. The serious contenders are going to be the English, Swedes, New Zealanders and of course the Americans on Oracle. They will be the logical favourites, and even if James Spithill isn’t going to be at the helm of Oracle, I’m not worried for Tom Slingsby, his replacement: he wasn’t five times world champion and Olympic champion in the Laser class for no reason… He has got what it takes.”</i></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>The highest level of competition</strong><b><br />
The competition that is present in<b> </b>Naples is going to be very tough and well prepared, but that is no reason not to hope for the best. Yann Guichard: “<i>We’re bound to be the outsiders, but as we finished in fourth place here last year, our goal is to make it to the podium… and why not to the very top? In this final opportunity of the season, we want to leave our mark</i>.” The other teams, starting with the two Italian Luna Rossa boats, who will be on their home waters, will see things rather differently.</b></p>
<p><strong>Dealing with local effects<br />
</strong><b>One of the keys to succeeding here will be getting to grips with the local effects caused by the natural topography of the Bay of Naples and by the buildings in the city itself. Energy Team’s helmsman understands that: “<i>Some of the effects here are so strong that they can force you onto a different tack. The Bay of Naples is a very demanding place to sail for that reason. Once again, it is going to vital to get off to a good start.”</i></b></p>
<p><strong><i> </i>Energy Team’s crew:</strong><b><br />
Yann Guichard (skipper – helmsman), Christophe Espagnon (wing trimmer), Arnaud Jarlegan (trimmer), Devan Le Bihan(trimmer) and Christophe André (bowman).</b></p>
<p><b><span style="text-decoration: underline">The 9 crews lining up with their helmsmen:<br />
</span>- Emirates Team New Zealand</b> (Dean Barker) ;<br />
<b>- Oracle USA</b> (Tom Slingsby) ;<br />
<b>- J.P.Morgan BAR</b> (Ben Ainslie) ;<br />
<b>- Artemis Racing White</b> (Charlie Ekberg) ;<br />
<b>- Luna Rossa Piranha</b> (Chris Draper) :<br />
<b>- HS Racing</b> (Roman Hagara/Hans-Peter Steinacher) ;<br />
<b>- China Team</b> (Mitch Booth) ;<br />
<b>- Luna Rossa Swordfish</b> (Francesco Bruni)<br />
<b>- Energy Team</b> (Yann Guichard).</p>
<p><strong>Programme:<br />
</strong><b>- Thursday 18<sup>th</sup> April: fleet races 1 and 2 + qualifiers and match race quarter finals<br />
- Friday 19<sup>th</sup> April: fleet races 3 and 4 + match race quarter finals<br />
- Saturday 20<sup>th</sup> April: fleet races 5 and 6 + match race semi-finals<br />
- Sunday 21<sup>st</sup> April: fleet race 7 + match race final</b></p>
<p><strong>Watch the racing on TV: </strong>In France the races can be seen on Sport+ on Thursday and Friday and on Canal+ Sport on Saturday and Sunday.</p>
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<div id="attachment_1765" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/yann-guichard-at-the-helm-of-energy-team-in-naples/dsc_0998-copy/" rel="attachment wp-att-1765"><img class="size-full wp-image-1765" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/DSC_0998-copy.jpg" alt="" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Stéphanie Billarant / Energy Team</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>The AC World Series will shortly be taking place in Naples. In twelve days from now, from 16th to 21st April, Energy Team will be hard at work in this final event on the AC45 before the Louis Vuitton Cup. Yann Guichard will be at the helm of the French multihull with Christophe Espagnon as wing trimmer. More details from Antoine Mermod, the technical director of Energy Team.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Last year, the Bay of Naples was home to one of the most spectacular legs in the AC World Series circuit. The competitors experienced a full range of conditions, including violent winds with seas that only just made it possible to sail. It was indeed very spectacular. It is of course too soon to forecast whether we can expect the same again this year, but whatever the conditions, the battle is once again likely to be fascinating with nine AC45 crews competing, including quite naturally the French on Energy Team.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">The event will be taking place from Thursday 16th to Sunday 21st April with the following schedule: training on 16th and 17th April, racing from 18th to 21st. Seven fleet races are planned from Thursday to Sunday. As for the match racing, the qualifications and first quarter finals will be on Thursday, with the other quarter finals on Friday, the semi-finals on Saturday and the final on Sunday.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Target : the podium or better…</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">For Energy Team, this will once again be an opportunity to show what they can do in front of the local crowds in Naples, who turned out in their thousands last year. Antoine Mermod, technical director of Energy Team: “<em>In 2012, we finished in fourth place in Naples and we only just missed out on making it to the fleet race podium in the very last race. So this time the target is simple: we’re here to win! In any case, we have clearly got what it takes to be up there on the podium. On top of that, James Spithill won’t be there at the helm of Oracle’s AC45. That’s something we can try to take advantage of.” </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">The competition is going to be tough with Oracle USA, Emirates Team New Zealand, the two Luna Rossa boats (Swordfish and Piranha), Artemis, JP Morgan Bar, China Team and HS Racing, aboard which there will be none other than the Austrians, Roman Hagara and Hans-Peter Steinacher, two-time Olympic champions in the Tornado class.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Guichard at the helm, Espagnon on the wing</strong></p>
<p>But there is no need to feel intimidated, as for Energy Team, the line-up is equally impressive with Yann Guichard at the helm. He will be assisted by the usual team including Christophe André, Arnaud Jarlegan, Devan Le Bihan and the “newcomer” Christophe Espagnon – another giant from the Tornado and multihull circuit, who will be in charge of trimming the rigid wing as a replacement for the Swiss sailor Arnaud Psarofaghis. “<em>Christophe has quickly settled into the team. He has been sailing for a long time with Yann, and they know each other very well. I believe we have a very solid crew, continuing on from what we have been doing over the past two years.</em>“</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">The sailors will be busy in Naples from 11<sup>th</sup> April to train for a full week before battle commences. “<em>Everyone is really up for it,</em>” insisted Antoine Mermod, “<em>So let’s be ambitious and aim for victory.”</em> Between Vesuvius and Capri, Energy Team will have to deal with the magnificent Bay of Naples with all its local effects. “<em>With the prevailing westerlies, this is a fantastic place to sail with plenty of wind and calm seas. On the other hand, if the wind comes from the south, the seas can get quite choppy and it will be much more physical</em>…”</p>
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<div id="attachment_1758" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/energy-with-incidence-at-the-spi-ouest-france/sailingspi-ouest-france-2010/" rel="attachment wp-att-1758"><img class="size-full wp-image-1758" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/03/Open750-Energy-Incidence.jpg" alt="SAILING/SPI OUEST FRANCE 2010" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">JEAN-MARIE LIOT / DPPI</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify">Energy Team will be competing at the Spi Ouest France this weekend aboard an Open 7.50 bearing the name ENERGY-INCIDENCE. The famous sailmaker, which has equipped the ENERGY TEAM AC45 since they first took part in the AC World Series will this time be their joint partner and will be supporting the youth team that is being set up for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Easter in La Trinité</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">The ENERGY-INCIDENCE Open 7.50 will be skippered by the young sailor Charles Hainneville, who will lead a team of under 25 year olds, most of whom will be in the crew of the ENERGY TEAM AC45 competing in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, which is due to be raced from 1<sup>st</sup> to 4<sup>th</sup> September in San Francisco. ENERGY TEAM is set to announce they will be taking part in this preliminary event to the America’s Cup.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">But for the moment, the young ENERGY crew will be focusing on the major event in La Trinité, where they will be doing battle in the Open 7.50 category, where the standard is expected to be very high this year. We shall be watching them closely in La Trinité sur mer in Southern Brittany during this Easter weekend from 28th March to 1st April.</p>
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<div id="attachment_1744" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/legal-dispute-resolved/s03_1258-copy/" rel="attachment wp-att-1744"><img class="size-full wp-image-1744" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/02/S03_1258-copy.jpg" alt="" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Gilles Martin-Raget</p></div>
<p>America’s Cup World Series team, Energy Team France, is pleased to report that it has confidentially resolved its legal dispute over the salvage of its AC45 America’s Cup racing vessel. In January, the Court in San Francisco ordered that Energy Team’s boat be released from arrest and returned back to its owners. The parties’ dismissal of the lawsuit now requires that the Court clerk also return all of the team’s cash security.</p>
<p>Energy Team’s technical director, Antoine Mermod, stated “<em>This is a very happy day for the team and for its supporters. We wish to thank the U.S. Coast Guard for its assistance in the salvage as well as the team’s countless supporters during the process</em>.”</p>
<p>The entire team looks forward to returning to the San Francisco Bay to compete in future World Series events.</p>
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<div id="attachment_1732" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/energy-team-already-focusing-on-the-35th-americas-cup/energy-team-a-san-francisco-3/" rel="attachment wp-att-1732"><img class="size-full wp-image-1732" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2012/12/Energy-Team-à-San-Francisco.jpg" alt="Energy Team in San Francisco" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Stephanie Billarant / Energy Team</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Energy Team has set itself a clear goal: the 35th America’s Cup. Loïck Peyron is now the helmsman for the Artemis AC72 for the 34th… which is a huge advantage in terms of his preparation. So, it will be Yann Guichard at the helm of the AC45 flying the colours of Corum for what lies ahead in the 2013 World Series, which will be taking place in Naples and then in the United States. Antoine Mermod, technical director of Energy Team tells us more.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">“<em>The whole of the 2013 season is already set to focus on the 35th America’s Cup,</em>” Antoine Mermod began by telling us. Things have been moving quickly over the past few weeks. With Terry Hutchinson’s departure from the Artemis team, Loïck Peyron has officially become one of the two helmsmen on the AC72, the Swedish team’s big multihull. Loïck is no longer merely the speed coach, but the helmsman along with the young Australian, Nathan Outteridge. In other words, Loïck Peyron has a fifty-fifty chance of steering the Artemis AC72 in the America’s Cup races next summer in San Francisco.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>YANN GUICHARD AT THE HELM OF THE ENERGY TEAM AC45</strong><br />
“<em>Loïck’s move to</em> <em>Artemis is, of course, excellent news for Energy Team,</em>” declared Antoine Mermod. “<em>After racing in the 33rd Cup with Alinghi, Loïck is acquiring a huge amount of experience in the 34<sup>th</sup> with Artemis. This is a major asset for ENERGY, which united around Bruno, has been focusing for several months on the 35<sup>th</sup> Cup.</em>” At the same time, the crew of the Energy Team AC45 is continuing to work and build up its experience. Yann Guichard, who was already heavily involved earlier in the season, will be taking the helm of the French winged catamaran for what lies ahead in the AC World Series in Naples in April and then in the United States in May. “<em>I’m pleased that Yann will be taking the helm</em>” stated Loïck Peyron, “<em>His huge skill at the helm and his ease on this type of boat means it is right for him to take the wheel for the rest of the season. This is exactly what we had planned.</em>“</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">That is what it makes it so interesting for Energy Team to have two top class helmsmen. While one gains experience on the AC72, the other is able to continue to lead a high standard crew. Yann Guichard will be at the helm with the usual team around him: Christophe André (Bowman), Devan Le Bihan (foredeck) and the two Arnauds: Psarofaghis as wing trimmer and Jarlegan taking care of the headsails.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE</strong><br />
The crew will be back aboard the boat in San Francisco in February. “<em>We have scheduled a training session lasting a fortnight,</em>” explained Antoine Mermod. “<em>To continue to progress, there’s no secret about what is required: you have to get out there sailing. We’ve been involved in this project now for two and a half years and more than ever, the goal is clear: victory in the 35<sup>th</sup> America’s Cup. We now have all it takes to be able to do just that</em>.”</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">As for the Youth America’s Cup, Energy Team has decided to support the youngsters in the French Youth Team. They should be qualifying to compete next September in an event taking place between the Louis Vuitton and America’s Cup. Energy will be enabling this young team to train in February in San Francisco. One again here, the goal is clear: to build up a pool of young talent to form a top class group with the 35<sup>th</sup>America’s Cup in mind.</p>
<div id="attachment_1733" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/energy-team-already-focusing-on-the-35th-americas-cup/1355481312-dsc_8838-copy/" rel="attachment wp-att-1733"><img class="size-full wp-image-1733" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2012/12/1355481312-DSC_8838-copy.jpg" alt="Energy Team in San Francisco 2" width="716" height="476" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Stephanie Billarant/Energy Team</p></div>
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<div id="attachment_1718" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/loick-peyron-test-pilot-on-the-artemis-ac72/loick-peyron-5/" rel="attachment wp-att-1718"><img class="size-full wp-image-1718" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2012/11/Loïck-Peyron.jpg" alt="" width="716" height="477" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Gilles Martin-Raget /AC34</p></div>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>After four trips aboard the Artemis AC72, Loïck Peyron, skipper of Energy Team, gives us his first impressions of this impressive winged giant, with her exceptional size, her potential for power and her high speeds…</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Loïck Peyron: </strong>“We have sailed aboard her four times and she is extremely powerful. That isn’t that much of a surprise for me, as I have spent a long time looking at the design of these machines, but it is still all very impressive. To sum up, these are boats that aren’t that wide or that big, but which have a very powerful “engine”. To get an idea of what I mean, it’s a bit like putting a V8 or V12 engine on a go-kart. So it is no easy matter making use of all that power. We saw what can happen when Oracle capsized. These machines require caution. My job was to be something like a test pilot on this AC72. I’m here to find just how far we can take things and avoid those hairy moments, when the boat starts to dig in, for example. Already by the second or third trip, I found myself out there on the helm and I can say it’s fascinating.”</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>What is the difference from an AC45?</strong><br />
LP: “They don’t have that much in common. Proportionally, the AC72s are much more unstable. Because looking at the base, the engine is that much more powerful. You need to add on a third more power to an AC45 to get some sort of idea. And then, there is the sheer scale: everything is that much heavier, including the wing, of course and the centre of gravity is not that well placed, as it is higher up. On top of that, there is a lot of inertia… the “engine” is extremely powerful, but above all she is always in gear. And of course, you can’t take in a reef…”<br />
<strong><br />
Capsizes ahead?<br />
</strong>“Yes. Of all the boats I have sailed on, she is the trickiest. When you start flying downwind, it is very impressive and that is one of the major questions that interest us: you need to find a compromise, knowing when to fly, but above all without using too much energy to do that. For me, flying aircraft for more than twenty years, it is very interesting. After each day out there sailing, we need to spend several days ashore fine-tuning the boat on every level. For the moment, we are just working on boat number 1, but we have already got some ideas about the second one. With the first one, it’s rather like racing with 30kg on your shoulders. Once the second boat is on the water, that weight won’t be there any more.”</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>High speed?</strong><br />
“Very. For the moment, we’re taking it step by step deliberately, so we’re not out there looking for the highest speed. But we have already reached 26 knots in just 10 knots of wind.”</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>A useful experience for the Energy Team project?</strong><br />
“In every America’s Cup there is a transfer season between the teams. I’m a bit like a jobbing actor going from one team to another, or maybe more like a Swiss army knife for the team – that’s what Ernesto (Bertarelli) called me when I was with Alinghi. Of course, and it is quite normal, I have certain obligations and have to keep certain info to myself: there are certain things I can’t share with others, but it is obvious that bringing all these experiences together benefits everyone. I am in fact the first member of Energy Team to be hired by another team, but I probably won’t be the last. With Bruno and Energy Team, we have managed to build up a pool of talent. If we manage to get everything together for the next Cup, all of these experiences will be useful For the moment, from a personal perspective, this is an exceptional opportunity to try to make it all the way with Artemis, or in other words right through the Louis Vuitton Cup and further if possible…”</p>
