The Spanish port of Valencia has gone all out to work on making the next America’s Cup a success worldwide and the French flag already flies high in its marina. Le Defi’s FRA 69, in her new ‘passion red’ colour is causing quite a sensation among the 145 or so boats taking part in the year’s great nautical event, the Trofeo de SM La Reina (HM The Queen’s Trophy).

Le Defi has clear objectives: a short week of sailing the America’s Cup boat which has been in storage for one and a half years, to give the team practice time for this autumn’s first three acts. The technical team have done a fantastic job, after two days the boat has been able to perform close to its full potential. The sailors are put under a tough training programme. From 0700 to 2100 they carry out their manoeuvres under an unforgiving sun.

Le Defi sailing team:

Sailor / Mast Jean Marie DAURIS LE DEFI 2003 FRANCE

Sailor / Mast Florent CHASTEL Sélection DEFI 2003 /CATAMARAN ORANGE FRANCE

Sailor Pierre (Tara) MASSE LE DEFI 2000 et 2003 FRANCE

Sailor Christophe ANDRE Sélection DEFI 2003 / Circuit Match Race FRANCE

Sailor / Mast / Sails Xavier HUSSON Le défi 1992 and 1995 FRANCE

Sailor Erwan VANNIER LE DEFI 2003 FRANCE

Sailor Eric COULON Le défi 1995 FRANCE

Sailor Fred LEMAISTRE LE DEFI 2003 FRANCE

Sailor / Sails Christian SCHERRER ALINGHI SUISSE

Sailor / Sails Thierry BRIEND LE DEFI 2003 / Trimaran FONCIA FRANCE

Sailor Antoine BREGER Sélection DEFI 2003 : Circuit Match Race FRANCE

Sailor / Sails Philippe TOUET Le Défi 1995 FRANCE

Sailor / Sails Fred GUILMIN LE DEFI 2003 / Circuit Match Race/ Voile Olympique FRANCE

Sailor Franck CITEAU LE DEFI 2000 / Voile Olympique/ Formule 18 FRANCE

Sailor Dimitri DERUELLE Circuit Match Race/ Tour Voile/ Voile Olympique 49er FRANCE

SKIPPER/Sailor Philippe PRESTI LE DEFI 2003 / Circuit match Race/ voile Olympique FRANCE

Sailor / Tactician Marcel Van TRIEST LE DEFI 2000 / Volvo Race PAYS BAS

Sailor / Electronics Philippe MOURNIAC LE DEFI 2003 / Circuit Match Race/ Voile Olympique FRANCE

Sailor Bjorn DUNKERBECK Professional windsurfer ESPAGNE

Technical Team

Pierre (Tara) MASSE Responsible for technique FRANCE

Patrice CARRIER FRANCE

Olivier VIGOUREUX winch – rig FRANCE

David FOREVEILLE Hydraulics FRANCE

David CESARI Electronics FRANCE