Yes, indeed, the French seem very adept at sailing, multihulls, especially. Might we expect them to do well in the next Americas Cup..?
Cher Pierre,
- The Trophy Jules Verne, distance 21.600 nautical miles, amazing average speed of almost 27 knots,
- The "Non-stop single handed / solo round the world race without assistance",
- The "Vendée Globe" race (also non-stop solo round the world without assistance race, starting & finishing in Les Sables d'Olonnes, French Atlantic coast),
- The "Around Alone" race (solo round the world with stopovers),
- The "Route du Rhum", a solo transatlantique open race from Saint Malo French Atlantic coast to Pointe à Pitre Guadeloupe where amateurs & professionals can enter which brings on the same race monohulls & multihulls of all sizes & classes,
I dare say that the French won all at some time or another.
In answer to your interesting question,
Even if I'm a big fan of the famous America's cup, this is another world where boats are made by shipyards cooperatively with aircrafts manufacturers, a particular culture with specific management, state of mind, training.
French skippers have a different profile than that, different approach of sea races, different definition of success, different competitive mind, different love & fascination of the sea, although this means substantial budget ressources as well.
There is Formula One, there is also off-road rally raid, both are exciting.
The ocean crossings & the off-track long range navigations have always been part of the essential elements of the French maritime culture which was the basis of our former vast maritime empire. Hearty bravo to Francis Joyon, also I am happy to see that the long French marine tradition is preserved