Meet France’s Youth America’s Cup Team
Team France Jeune was born in November 2015 with a team of 10 young sportsmen. From January to September 2016 they sailed the Flying Phantom and the Diam 24, and their competitive highlight so far has been taking first place in the amateur rankings at the Tour de France à la Voile 2016.
In September 2016, a second selection appointed 15 sailors to the team [some already part of the initial selection], and these sailors worked with the GC32 in order to build useful experience for racing the AC45F. Finally, the selection was narrowed down to the sailors who obtained their “golden ticket” to race under the French colors at the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. Team France Jeune is mentored by Groupama Team France of the America’s Cup.
Robin Follin [skipper] Team France Jeune skipper Robin Follin hails from Sainte-Maxime and has sailed in SB20, 420 and match racing disciplines with successes including winning the SB20 World Championship, the amateur rankings of the Tour de France à la Voile 2016, and the Bronze medal at the ISAF Youth World Championship of Match Racing. The 22-year-old also pursues studies in real estate and is a karting champion.
Jean-Baptiste Ducamin Twenty-three-year-old Jean-Baptiste Ducamin is a two-time French National Champion in Laser and has accumulated honors including French Match Race Champion, winner of the European Nations Cup Final, runner-up in the under-21 European Laser Championship and third place in both the European Laser Radial Championship and the Nations Cup World Grand Final, among others. A resident of Ares, he has also studied for a Master of Science and Communication Management degree at INSEEC Bordeaux.
Sandro Lacan A multi-discipline sailor, Sandro Lacan has experience in 29er, Moth Europe, 49er, Laser and Match Racing. The 22-year-old was part of the team that won the amateur rankings of the Tour de France à la Voile 2016, and in Laser Standard he took first podium in the Europacup and earned a spot in the medal race at the EUROSAF in Kiel 2015. Sandro lives in Marseille, where he is a sailing instructor.
Timothé Lapauw already has intensive experience with foiling as a member of the Swiss Alinghi team that won the Extreme Sailing Series 2016, and he is again serving as foil trimmer for Alinghi in the stadium racing series this year. The 20-year-old from Grasse is also a two-time French Champion in Youth Match Racing.
Bruno Mourniac A 22-year-old journalism student who lives just minutes from the Mediterranean in Biot, Bruno Mourniac’s proudest sporting achievement so far was being part of the team that won the professional rankings in the Tour de France à la Voile 2016. His sailing background encompasses the disciplines of Inshore, Match Racing, SB20, and Diam 24.
Solune Robert A specialist in multihull sailing, 21-year-old Solune Robert of Sarzeau claimed the French F18 Championship in 2015 and was second in the Youth World Championship in the same year. Solune is currently a student at IUT GMP.
Antoine Rucard is a 22-year-old from Plouguerneau who specializes in multihull sailing and considers being selected for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup to be one of his most notable sporting accomplishments. He studied materials engineering and currently works in the field of Research and Development.
Valentin Sipan An engineering student as well as a sailor, Valentin Sipan, 23, has a diverse background sailing 470, TP52, Diam 24 and Longtze class boats. To date, his career highlights have included winning the 470 Youth World Championship in 2015 and finishing eighth at the ISAF World Championship in 2014 [Santander]. Valentin makes his home in Rennes.
