Peyron straddles Artemis and Energy AC campaigns

French multihull maestro Loïck Peyron finds himself in the unique position of straddling two existing America’s Cup campaigns: as boss of his own Energy Team campaign, which competed admirably in the AC45 World Series, but ultimately failed to raise the funds required to build a 72-foot boat to contest the Louis Vuitton trophy; and now also confirmed as one of two potential helmsmen for the Swedish Artemis programme aboard their (as yet) non-foiling AC72.

Peyron’s hiring by Artemis came as no surprise, given his unparalleled multihull pedigree and the fact that he helmed the Alinghi cat on occasions at the 33rd America’s Cup. Back then, despite eventually ending up on the losing team, he memorably transformed the Swiss cat’s performance each and every time he took the wheel.

Originally hired by Artemis as “speed coach”, his arrival soon sparked a senior level reshuffle at Artemis which saw American Terry Hutchinson brutally ousted from his role as helmsman – and in fact out of the campaign for good.
British Star Olympian Iain Percy leapfrogged from Hutchinson’s AC45 tactician, to sailing team director, reporting to Artemis CEO Paul Cayard. Also listed as a part of the newly configured afterguard is Argentina’s double Olympic multihull medallist Santaigo Lange, in the role of sailing and design liaison.

This leaves Australia’s newly crowned 49er Olympic gold medallist Nathan Outteridge as the only thing standing between Peyron and the helm of the Artemis 72-footer. How the decision will be made on whether Outteridge or Peyron will helm the Artemis AC72 is yet to be announced.

Despite nailing his colours to a rival team’s mast, Peyron appears far from cutting his ties with Energy Team, who in recent press releases are spinning the positives of their star performer tilting at the 34th America’s Cup with Artemis, and have declared themselves focused now on winning the 35th Cup. Yann Guichard will be helming the Energy Team AC 45 for the remaining 2013 World Series events – one in Naples, Italy and one (venue to be confirmed) in the USA.

Antoine Mermod, technical director of Energy Team confirmed that the 35th rather than the 34th Cup was now the priority for Energy Team:

“The whole of the 2013 season is already set to focus on the 35th America’s Cup,” he said. “Things have been moving quickly over the past few weeks. With Terry Hutchinson’s departure from the Artemis team, Loïck Peyron has officially become one of the two helmsmen on the AC72, the Swedish team’s big multihull. Loïck is no longer merely the speed coach, but the helmsman along with the young Australian, Nathan Outteridge. In other words, Loïck Peyron has a fifty-fifty chance of steering the Artemis AC72 in the America’s Cup races next summer in San Francisco.”

From a personal point of view, Peyron’s move to Artemis makes perfect sense – the Frenchman’s services cannot come cheap – and a successful run with Artemis in the Louis Vuitton Cup and a possible crack at the America’s Cup itself would add weight to any subsequent fundraising for Energy Team for the next Cup.

Mermod again: “Loïck’s move to Artemis is, of course, excellent news for Energy Team. After racing in the 33rd Cup with Alinghi, Loïck is acquiring a huge amount of experience in the 34th with Artemis. This is a major asset for Energy, which united around Bruno [Peyron], has been focusing for several months on the 35th Cup.”

The Energy Team AC45 crew will be back out training in San Francisco in February when they have a two-week practise session scheduled.

Meanwhile, Artemis face the daunting challenge of closing the gaping performance delta between their non-foiling boat and the collaborating Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa teams, who who both look to have mastered high speed foiling down in the southern hemisphere.

Images by Sander van der Borch.