Sailors Franck Cammas, Michel Desjoyeaux and Olivier de Kersauson gathered at Hôtel de la Marine to present the newly formed America’s Cup challenge, Groupama Team France on Thursday.

Groupama CEO Thierry Martel was also present at the conference, in addition to defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and minister for cities, youth and sports Patrick Kanner who are supporters of the venture.

With an already impressive racing history, one of the trophies France is still yet to win is the prestigious America’s Cup.

In a statement, the newly formed team said: “It is with this culture of excellence that three exceptional sailors, Franck Cammas, Michel Desjoyeaux and Olivier de Kersauson, have come together to form Groupama Team France.

“Individually, they have won it all, in crewed and single-handed configuration and in the media; together they have everything required to carry this project off: the desire, the talent, the ingenuity and the popularity.”

Together with Groupama, his partner since 1998, skipper Franck Cammas has built up a unique track record, notably winning the Route du Rhum, the Jules Verne Trophy and the Volvo Ocean Race.

True to its commitment, ambitious in its programme and proud of the performances achieved over what amounts to nearly eighteen years, this time Groupama is committing to a project to bring about national unity.

Speaking about the announcements Cammas said: “It’s a great day for our team. Together with Michel and Olivier, we’ve been working for the past two years to bring this project to a successful conclusion. Groupama Team France is now in full working order to attack the Cup and its competitors, who rank among the best in the world.

“What drives us is winning the toughest competition, going from one stage to the next and the striving for excellence. In sailing, the apex is the Cup.”

This latest news comes not long after it was announced the teams would be switching from AC72s to the AC48s.