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The Alinghi Team counts many specialists from very varied disciplines in international sailing. Luc Dubois, a monohull specialist, Pierre-Yves Jorand and Yves Detrey, catamaran specialists, will be present for the XVIIIth Trophée Clairefontaine des Champions de Voile. Free of rights for press use, subject to the compulsory mention: Photo Thierry Martinez - Team Alinghi. As in 2003, three representatives of the Alinghi Team will come to celebrate their recent victory in the America's Cup in the waters of Morbihan, by taking part in the XVIIIth Trophée Clairefontaine des Champions de Voile, from Thursday 30 August to Sunday 2 September. Luc Dubois from the Design Team, Pierre-Yves Jorand, the Team Alinghi Coach and Yves Detrey, crewman, will wear the famous grey and red colours at the sailing stadium of La Trinité.
Luc Dubois is known to have displayed the Swiss flag at the Olympic Games 1984 in Los Angeles on his 470, then for his domination over several years until 2000 on his Surprise, a highly developed one-design class on Lake Geneva, on which he was twice crowned Champion of Europe, twice Champion of France and once champion of Switzerland. In the Alinghi Design Team, Luc Dubois has shared victories in the Louis Vuitton Cup 2003 then the America's Cup 2003 and 2007. This qualified geophysicist won acclaim by designing with Jean-Pierre Baudet, the 3DL system for the making of sails by moulding. Today, the majority of the top level racing yachts throughout the world is equipped with 3DL North sails, including the leaders of the America's Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race. Luc Dubois is a fine helmsman. He should quickly adapt to the specific features of the Trophée Clairefontaine.
Pierre-Yves Jorand has been a member of the Team Alinghi since its start. He is a specialist in catamarans. Faithful second to the boss - Ernesto Bertarelli - aboard the Alinghi catamaran sailing the length and breadth of Lake Geneva, Pierre-Yves Jorand has won the famous Bol d'Or five times. In 2003, Pierre-Yves Jorand finished third in the Trophée Clairefontaine at the mainsail trimmer and tactician station, which he will occupy once again in this race. This former Champion of Europe of speed skiing, present at the Albertville Olympic Games, is experienced at handling the one-design catamaran of the Trophée Clairefontaine. Because of this, the Alinghi Team has high hopes for 2007.
Yves Detrey is a one of the earliest crew members of the Alinghi Team. He was also present at La Trinité in 2003, as foredeck hand. Like Pierre-Yves Jorand, he has won the Bol d'Or five times on the Alinghi catamaran. His varied experience, stretching from the prototype catamarans of the lake to the America's Cup, not to mention the Trophée Clairefontaine, make him a formidable specialist in manoeuvres on the Runs, the eight to ten minute regattas in the sailing stadium. This is a great asset in making up the Dubois - Jorand duo.
These Team Alinghi representatives, among the most skilled in their team for this kind of exercise, will race in the regattas at La Trinité while the other members, including Ernesto Bertarelli, will run in the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship in Denmark. Luc Dubois and his crewmen will compete with the holder of the title and recent recordman of the Atlantic crossing, the skipper of the Groupama trimarans: Franck Cammas, who will defend his title won in September 2006. They will also face the talent of Jérémie Beyou, second last year and Loïck Peyron, seven times winner of the race and third in 2006. Vincent Riou, Michel Desjoyeaux and Yann Eliès will also be there for this meeting. So there is only one place left to fill to complete the line up of the eight champions of the XVIIIth Trophée Clairefontaine.
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