The Corum Sailing Team gathered on September 3 and 4 together with its Civic partners Ville de La Rochelle – Ville de Châtelaillon-Plage – Fédération Française de Voile – Société des Régates Rochelaises, and its sponsors Corum – Bénéteau – North Sails – Domaine des Trois Iles – Thalasso de La Rochelle Sud – Mirko al Mare- to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the only victory of a French Team, in the history of the Champagne Mumm Admiral’s Cup.
The participants were welcomed by Maxime Bono, Mayor of La Rochelle, at the top of the historical Saint Nicolas Tower, overlooking the old harbour. They then moved on to the Minimes marina to prepare for the regatta from La Rochelle to Châtelaillon-Plage onboard 21 catamarans lent by the Ecole de Voile Rochelaise.
Luc Gellusseau, the Corum Sailing Team leader, headed up the Race Committee and Jury which included:
-Jean-René Bannwart, Corum C.E.O in 1991 whose action and involvement were instrumental in the whole challenge becoming a reality,
-Jean-Louis Monneron, President of the French Sailing Federation at the time,
-Marc Reine, coach of the French Team,
-Marcel van Triest, navigator onboard one of the winning 3 Corum yachts .
The catamarans were raced by 91 Corum Sailing Team sailors, often crewed by one of their family members – wives, children: top offshore sailors, used to America’s Cup and Round The World maxi-yachts, who had to get again acquainted once again with light boats and, often, to train a newcomer crew at the same time. In weather reminiscent of the Solent, there were fantastic scenes from the moment of the start in the harbour, through the channel and out on to the open water – mistacks, sailing backwards, capsizes, dismastings and other misfortunes – like mischievous kids – but all in good humour!
So in less than an hour the competitors (well, nearly all) were safely moored on the beach at Châtelaillon-Plage where the City Council and the Domaine des 3 Iles had organized a fantastic welcome with a cocktail party, after showers and hydrotherapy at Thalasso-La Rochelle-Sud.
Once the 1991 uniform -Corum blazer and tie- was on, for some a little on the tight side, the whole team met at Mirko al Mare, overlooking the small Bouchôleurs fishing harbour, for a Corum-Bénéteau gala party; an opportunity to remember good times, while watching the Corum Sailing Team « Best of » pictures and video, from the 91-93-95 Admiral’s Cup to Classic Regattas onboard the 23.5 JI “Candida”, as well as catching up on ongoing projects amongst themselves. All the while savouring Maestro Mirko’s exquisite cuisine.
The following morning, a fast return race – downwind under a cloudy sky brightened up by bursts of sunlight and a magical rainbow.
Claire Fontaine, a competitor in the regatta and President of the Société des Régates Rochelaises, opened the Club-House for the prizegiving and buffet sponsored by North Sails, together with a show of pictures that Didier Ravon (photographer and Voiles et Voiliers editor) had taken over the weekend.
The 21 catamarans were grouped into 3 teams, blue-white-red, like Corum Saphir, Corum Diamant and Corum Rubis in 1991 ; the red team got the best results over the week-end but everybody won: this friendly reunion was full of fun and spirit and many called for more reunions and more often.
The wonderful story of the Corum Sailing Team is unique as Luc Gellusseau said : «with this image of victory in the Admiral’s Cup and this strong team spirit, it would not take much to rekindle the spark and to surf in on such an exclusive heritage»; Let’s imagine Luc and the Corum Sailing Team taking on a new prestigious and authentic adventure inspired by the Admiral’s cup…