Orient Express-L’Oréal Racing Team exits the Youth America’s Cup
by Orient Express Racing Team 24 Sep 06:38 PDT
17-26 September 2024
Orient Express-L’Oréal Racing Team © Alexander Champy-McLean / Orient Express Racing Team
Three races completed of the eight scheduled in the Qualifiers – including one remarkable win – as the French youth team faced ongoing technical issues that hindered their performance.
The journey has concluded for the French youth team Orient Express-L’Oréal Racing Team competing in the Unicredit Youth America’s Cup in Barcelona. Sixteen months of rigorous training have been undone, leaving a group of six young sailors and a data analyst, ages 18 to 25, in deep disappointment. Their AC40’s persistent technical failures left them powerless, overseen by event organizers since August 26, with technicians supporting all twelve competing teams.
Despite the unfortunate outcome and the past week’s challenges, it’s crucial to acknowledge the year of growth, development, and the three outstanding races achieved by the team. Led by skipper Enzo Balanger, the crew included Matisse Pacaud, Théo Revil, Gaultier Tallieu, Ange Delerce, and Lou Mourniac, supported by data analyst Alexandre Kovalski, showcasing their skills with the AC40, even securing a victory in the last race they could participate in on Monday.
This emerging generation of exceptional sailors, already enriched with multiple world championship titles, gained invaluable experience.
End of the journey – but what transpired?
The first qualification round of the 3rd edition of the Youth America’s Cup featured eight fleet races for two groups of six teams – one invited nations and the other comprised of countries with an entry in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup. Each challenger shared an AC40 with an invited team, with a joint maintenance service provided by the organizers.
The AC40s, smaller than AC75s, are technological marvels filled with electronics and hydraulics, needing meticulous technical care – which, regrettably, was absent. The AC40 used by the French and Spanish teams suffered primarily from hydraulic problems, adversely affecting the starts of races 1, 2, 3, and 4, preventing the French team from racing.
“The occurrence of technical problems on the boat before the races caused the race officials to instruct our crew not to participate for safety reasons. In official terms, the boat was marked ‘INR’ – ‘Instructed Not to Race’ – resulting in 4 compensation points for us,” explained Louis Viat, Operations Director in coordination with the organizers.
“During the last race yesterday, the hydraulic problem couldn’t be detected pre-start. It turned out to be a leak at the boat’s rear, which the crew couldn’t see. The boat ran out of hydraulic fluid completely, making it uncontrollable. It no longer reacted to the sailors’ commands, forcing them to withdraw from the race. We did everything possible to explain the situation, but our request for redress was declined.”
Had redress been granted, the French team would have received INR status and the associated 4 points, qualifying them for today’s fleet race finals.
A rapid learning progress for a robust and skilled team
Sixteen months have passed since selections and training began in March 2023, forming a robust team comprising seven young women and men in the Orient Express-L’Oréal Racing Team.
“We inevitably conclude this campaign feeling frustrated, betrayed by technical issues after months of effort,” stated Enzo Balanger, skipper and helmsman of the AC40. “We had confidence in our sailing skills and our training demonstrated we could compete with other teams.”
“I prefer not to dwell on this unfortunate ending or our inability to fully showcase our talents on the water. We developed a strong group, a dynamic, and a collective spirit. We have gained so much knowledge, both in sailing this high-speed foiling boat and technically regarding this type of vessel.”
“Together with Matisse, Théo, Gaultier, Ange, Lou, and our data expert Alexandre, we take pride in yesterday’s three races and our impressive victory. We are stronger because of this past year’s training and well-prepared for future challenges. A huge thank you to the team for their support and to our partners, especially Orient Express and L’Oréal. We recognize the privilege of having iconic French companies supporting youth, and we are profoundly grateful.”
What’s next?
Six teams will compete in today’s fleet race finals, and the Final Match Race is scheduled for later this week to conclude the Youth America’s Cup’s 3rd edition.
As for the young members of the Orient Express-L’Oréal Racing Team, they anticipate a brief respite to recover from the emotional turmoil of recent events. Then, they will prepare for the future, with some focusing on individual sporting projects while others pursue professional training alongside their high-level athletic careers.
Stephan Kandler, CEO of Orient Express Racing Team: “I want to express our utmost admiration for this remarkable group of seven. We – Team France, FFVoile, ENSVN, Orient Express, L’Oréal, NextWorld, and the team – are proud of this resilient and highly skilled collective after an intense year of training. I won’t dwell on the technical issues with the boat or our inability to control them.”
“With my partner Bruno Dubois, we are focusing on the future and are dedicated to providing our teams integrated opportunities that reflect their talent, enabling them to fully express themselves. France possesses exceptional emerging talent, and it is crucial to remain engaged in the America’s Cup, the Youth America’s Cup, and the Women’s America’s Cup, representing the pinnacle of international sailing competition.”
Next for Orient Express Racing Team is the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup, scheduled for October 5-13. Joining six challenger teams from New Zealand, Great Britain, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, and France are six new teams from Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Sweden, and Australia. The Qualification Series will be conducted from October 5-9, followed by a Final Series on October 11 before a winner-takes-all Match Race Final on October 13. Meet our team here.
