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ALAMEDA, 13 March 2014 - Artemis Racing announced today that French sailing legend Loïck Peyron has committed his future to the Swedish team as a member of the design group and helmsman. Following his role as technical coach and helmsman during the 34th America's Cup, Loïck brings his renowned versatility and unparalleled experience to Artemis Racing.
On rejoining the team Loïck commented "I have been involved in two America's Cups, but always just for the final year of the campaign. What's great about today is that I'm with a team I really like, at the beginning of the game, when there is a blank piece of paper and everyone's heads are burning with excitement. With Alinghi I had the chance to spend the final 12 months with a team that had dominated the America's Cup for a number of years; and with Artemis Racing; it feels like I'm now involved with a team that will be the dominant force of the future".
Peyron, who joined Artemis Racing in 2012, had a key role in developing the team's ability to sail the AC72 during last campaign.
Commenting on his new role "the America's Cup is a story of communication, a melting pot of different cultures; not just in terms of nationality but also in terms of sailing culture. I like to buzz everywhere, that's the way a solo sailor has to live, because you need to have the answer to any question or any situation. I'm very happy to act as backup helmsman but also really looking forward to offering support in other areas of the campaign" said Loïck.
Loïck is one of the most experienced and successful multihull sailors in history, having crossed the Atlantic 48 times including eighteen single-handedly. He has an outstanding record of achievement: five ORMA champion titles, sixteen Grand Prix victories, three Single-handed Transatlantic Race victories and two victories in the Transat Jacques Vabre in 1999 and 2005. In 2011 he won the Barcelona World Race in a monohull, went on to win the Trophée SNSM, and then set the Round Britain and Ireland record aboard the Banque Populair V maxi-trimaran.
On the 6th January 2012, he won the Jules Verne Trophy setting the record for the fastest circumnavigation of the world in just 45 days with Banque Populaire V.
The 35th America's Cup will be his third campaign: in 2010, Loïck was co-skipper of Alinghi, the Swiss challenge for the 33rd America's Cup. Before joining Artemis Racing for the 34th America's Cup, he was the skipper of Energy Team France in the 2011-12 America's Cup World Series (ACWS).
Helmsman Nathan Outteridge commented "it's great that we have been able to retain so much talent from the last campaign, to keep the consistency. To be able to tap into Loïck's unrivalled experience of multihull sailing, and his connection not just with the sailors but with the designers as well, is a big skill to have within the team".