Franck Cammas(1)(1)
©Yvan Zedda / Groupama Team is not one to boast. A son of teachers, he grew up at the foot of Montagne Sainte-Victoire, in Provence, and was barely ten years old when he discovered sailing… through books. Growing up to be a hyperactive, pragmatic and skillful skipper, Cammas has exceled in different ways, from sporting exploits to technological challenges, free from ego trips.
Fast becoming an adept of his new passion, he earned his stripes on the Optimist in Marseille Bay, without giving up school or his studies. For Cammas is not just a sportsman but also a brain: after majoring in mathematics, it was only after he sat for the competitive exams leading to his admission to the École Nationale Supérieure de la Marine Marchande (ENSM) that he devoted himself entirely to competitive sailing.
Multitalented
In 1997, at the age of 24, he won the Solitaire du Figaro. And in the same year, he joined the Groupama Team. Ever since, it has been in the red-and-green team that he has built up his solid list of awards, from the Route du Rhum to the Volvo Ocean Race via the Transat Jacques Vabre, the Atlantic record, as well as the Jules Verne Trophy.
The multitalented Cammas has alternated between multihulls and single-hulls, solo and crew events, world tours and Olympic events.
He also presides over the design of new prototypes at his sponsor’s design office in Lorient, namely for Groupama 4 and Groupama C that won the Volvo Ocean Race in 2012 and the Little America’s Cup in 2013.
Objective: America’s Cup
In 2015, more motivated than ever by his new challenge, Franck Cammas called on Michel Desjoyeaux and Olivier de Kersauson to represent France at the 35th edition of the America’s Cup in 2017, still as part of the Groupama Team France.
In November of the same year, the skipper was seriously injured while training off Quiberon. Back on his feet three months later, he was however unable to try out for the 2016 Olympics. But he remains determined to vie for the Cup.
Franck Cammas’ awards on Groupama boats
Six-times ORMA champion (60-foot multihulls – Groupama 1- Groupama 2)
Three-times winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre (Groupama 1 – Groupama 2)
Holder of six records including the Jules Verne Trophy in 2010 (Groupama 3)
Winner of the 2010 Route du Rhum (Groupama 3)
Winner of the 2012 Volvo Ocean Race (Groupama 4)
Winner of the Tour de France à la Voile in 2013 (Groupama 34)
World Champion, Class C, in 2013 and 2015 (Groupama C)
To find out more: www.cammas-groupama.com