03.02.2005
PRESS RELEASE of 02/02/2005
Geronimo: a crew ready to do battle
The 24-day trip to Doha has given everyone in the Capgemini /Schneider Electric crew the opportunity of getting back into the groove of life at sea. Over and above the significant value of that voyage, it is clearly cohesion, experience and mutual commitment that characterize the crew that holds the Jules Verne Trophy.
“Getting here was a bit of a trial” said Olivier de Kersauson on his arrival in Doha. “No wind and no poetry – just hard and laborious work”.
Another challenge now awaits the 12-man crew. “We can’t wait to measure ourselves against these crews under the same conditions. These are serious customers with real experience, sailing boats that have risen to some of the greatest challenges in the world”, continued Olivier de Kersauson on the subject of Qatar 2006 (the former ClubMed) and Cheyenne.
In entering Geronimo for the Oryx Quest, the team has focused on familiarity with the trimaran and crew cohesion. Most of these crewmembers have sailed around the world with Geronimo at least once (8 of the 12 on board). Continuity and loyalty are the trademarks of Olivier de Kersauson and both come through clearly in the composition of his crew. Yves Pouillaude, his right-hand man for over 20 years, has decided to stay ashore this time, and it’s Pierre Corriveaud who steps up to take his place as watch captain, after twice circling the globe on Geronimo. And for good measure, Franck Ferey, another double circumnavigator on board the Capgemini and Schneider Electric trimaran, takes over the same duties for the second watch. Olivier de Kersauson and Didier Ragot, perhaps the most faithful of all the faithful, will work outside the watch system.
The crew:
Olivier de Kersauson,
Didier Ragot: Mate & tactician
Pierre Corriveaud: Watch captain
Franck Ferey: Watch captain
Xavier Briault
Armand Coursodon
Philippe Laot
Rodolphe Jacq
Antoine Deru
Jean Charles Corre
Arnaud Boissière
Lucas Zamecnik
Embarking on their first round-the-world event with Geronimo:
Lucas Zamecnik, 29, was born in Paris – this is his first circumnavigation
Jean Charles Corre, 32, was born in Lorient, lives in Tahiti, and has arrived via an unusual route, since he’s also a merchant navy officer.
Arnaud Boissière, 32, comes from Bordeaux, is a geography graduate and has competed in many events, including 2 mini-Transats and 3 Figaros, and helped prepare Aquitaine Innovation.
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