NORAUTO is back with Franck Cammas on the GC32 Racing Tour in 2018

The downtime between two Olympic and two America’s Cup cycles is key for development and is when the most performance advances are made in order to be more competitive for the next event. The ‘Cup’ is a technological challenge where design is a major part of performance and sailors must also be at the top of their game. Spending hours on the water is good, but racing is better. For NORAUTO, supporting Franck Cammas and Team France in their continued racing makes sense.

Thibaut Derville, Managing Director of Belgium and Head of Sponsorship: “NORAUTO, the committed partner of Franck Cammas and Team France is proud to be the named boat sponsor and support their top level racing for 2018. The GC32 Racing Tour is a European circuit with events in Italy, Spain and France; established markets for NORAUTO. The employees will be there to support the team!”

On this circuit, the teams bring together Olympic champions, multihull experts and, of course, America's Cup experts. The events take place over four days with high intensity sports performance aboard fast and physical boats, demanding coordination and precision.

Franck Cammas, GC32 NORAUTO powered by Team France skipper: “Trust was established very quickly with NORAUTO. They understand our sport, the intensity and responsiveness needed to be successful. As promised, NORAUTO continues by our side. I am delighted - the GC32 Racing Tour is a circuit on which we have many great memories and one that is of great sports interest. 2018 will be a transitional season for the America’s Cup teams because the next boats will not be launched until 2019. Ten days ago the new monohull design with foils gives you an idea of how it could really fly like a multihull. We believe it is important that we continue to foil. The GC32 season makes perfect sense. The format of the races, and the courses in particular, are also close to what you find on the Cup and I hope that our commitment will inspire even more international teams to join us and in particular sailors who like us, share the ambition of the America’s Cup.”

The GC32 Racing Tour 2018 once again offers a particularly attractive programme for these boats and the teams involved. After an opening race at the end of May on the majestic Lake Garda, a paradise for foiling boats, the fleet will meet on the crystal-clear waters of Sardinia in June, before pitting against each other for the famous Copa del Rey MAPFRE in Palma de Mallorca at the beginning of August. Two other events, including one in France, will be announced in the coming weeks, with an equally great competition programme and access for fans wishing to watch the racing.

Christian Scherrer, organiser of the GC32 Racing Tour: “We are thrilled to welcome Franck Cammas and NORAUTO on the GC32 Racing Tour. Our 2016 champions will spice things up this season and will be one of the teams to beat.”

Provisional schedule of the GC32 Racing Tour 2018:
23 - 27 May: GC32 Class Championship, Riva del Garda, Lake Garda, Italy
26 - 30 June: GC32 Villasimius Cup, Sardinia, Italy
31 July - 4 August: Copa del Rey MAPFRE, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
12 - 16 September, TBA
10 - 14 October, TBA

The GC32 NORAUTO powered by Team France
Designers: Dr. Martin Fischer, Laurent Lenne
Catamaran with L-shaped foils and T-shaped rudders
Lift off the water with 8 knots of wind
Top speeds beyond 39 knots
5 crew
Length of hulls: 10m
With bowsprit: 12m
Beam: 6m
Mast height: 16m
Sail area: 168m2
Weight: 975kgs