By JULIE ASH
Le Defi Areva have axed skipper Luc Pillot in a last gasp attempt to advance further than the quarter-finals of the Louis Vuitton challenger series.
In three days the French line up against Sweden's Victory Challenge in the best-of-seven races where the loser faces elimination.
Having won only two
of their 16 races so far, and just scraping into the last eight as the bottom-placed syndicate, the French have their backs to the wall.
In a bid to beat the Swedes, Le Defi yesterday announced a new afterguard which now consists of Phillippe Presti as the skipper/helmsman, Luc Gellusseau as tactician and Phillippe Mourniac as navigator, which leaves no room for Pillot or Sebastien Destremau.
It is not the first time in the competition the French have changed their afterguard.
A month ago Pillot, who was then tactician, replaced Presti on the helm and Gellusseau, the then technical director, moved into the tactician's post.
The reason citied for Pillot's move to the helm then was because he had more experience in the big boats, however Presti is the better match racer which is why he was called back.
Le Defi sailing manager Pierre Mas said Pillot and Destremau are still part of the team but are just not on the boat.
"It was a difficult decision," he said.
"We are in a crucial moment in the competition and we have to take into account all our strengths and weaknesses. There is no question of Luc Pillot's capabilities nor his contribution to the team.
"Today we find ourselves in the position of having one single opponent - the Swedes. We have to catch them, be better than them in all close match racing phases of the regatta. To do this I decided to refigure the team around Phillippe Presti. At the helm of FRA69 he is a plus for us against Victory Challenge.
"Phillippe has never left the sailing team and as I said all along that he could be back on board."
When asked if any further changes can be expected and if the French will refer back to Pillot if things don't work out, Mas said: "I think if we are not successful we will not have another opportunity to try another combination. This will have to be successful."
Having stepped off the sideline himself, Presti said he has learned a lot from watching his team.
"When you are on the boat you have the world in your face and you don't realise all the aspects of what you are doing. When you step back and look at the race you learn a lot.
"I will try and focus on helming the boat, having a good start and helping the team as much as I can."
Presti says he is looking forward to taking on Victory Challenge helmsman Jesper Bank.
"I know Jesper well. I have had the opportunity to race against him on the international circuit and the training matches we had against them in September.
"I have been analysing their regattas and if we can improve our performance in the contact phases as well as maintaining the good boat speed we now have - we should be able to make a point against them."
But it is not only in the crew where the French have made changes.
FRA69 has undergone modifications to the appendages, rigging, mechanical systems, electronics and information systems.
The quarter-finals start on Tuesday.
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Racing schedule, results and standings
By JULIE ASH
Le Defi Areva have axed skipper Luc Pillot in a last gasp attempt to advance further than the quarter-finals of the Louis Vuitton challenger series.
In three days the French line up against Sweden's Victory Challenge in the best-of-seven races where the loser faces elimination.
Having won only two
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.