America’s Cup

<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&#8217;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&#8217;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 &#8220;French Youth Team.&#8221; Created and directed by Vincent Guého, the organization aimed to present a French team at the Red Bull Youth America&#8217;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. &#8220;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,&#8221; 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,&#8221; 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 &#8220;Coupe des Iles d&#8217;Or&#8221; 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>

<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&#8217;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 &#8220;power boost.” FFVoile’s commitment focuses on two aspects: first, they played a big role in the selection of the young team, &#8220;<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,&#8221;</em> says Antoine Mermod.</p> <p>According to Jacques Cathelineau, National Technical Director, the selection of this young team is a real success. &#8220;<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.&#8221; </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 &#8220;<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.&#8221;</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 &amp; 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 &#8220;their&#8221; America&#8217;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: &#8220;<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&#8217;s Cup. &#8220;</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>

<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&#8217;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&#8230;</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&#8217;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: &#8220;<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&#8217;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&#8221;.</em></p>

<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&#8217;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&#8230;</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: &#8220;<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: &#8220;<i>We are committed to our support for this team of young, talented sailors in the Youth America&#8217;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>&#8220;</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>

<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. &#8220;<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>&#8220;</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The sailors will be busy in Naples from 11^th April to train for a full week before battle commences. &#8220;<em>Everyone is really up for it,</em>&#8221; insisted Antoine Mermod, “<em>So let’s be ambitious and aim for victory.&#8221;</em>  Between Vesuvius and Capri, Energy Team will have to deal with the magnificent Bay of Naples with all its local effects. &#8220;<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>…&#8221;</p>