KEY POINTS:
AREVA CHALLENGE
Country: France Boat: FRA93
Head of team: Stephane Kandler
Helmsman: Sebastien Col
Designers: Bernard Nivelt, Dimitri Nicolopoulos
Estimated budget: $42 million
Boat colour: White
Challenger ranking: 8
HISTORY
Team born before the last Cup, when businessmen Ortwin and Stephan Kandler started the project with cup veteran Dawn Riley. They secured the winning boats and designs from the 2000 Team New Zealand campaign buying NZL57, and leasing NZL60. But without a sponsor to pay for a new boat early in the campaign, the French have been hampered. FRA93 finally arrived just before Christmas.
CREW
Predominantly French, the team's afterguard features experienced cup sailors Thierry Peponnet (helmsman), Sebastien Col (tactician, pictured), Tanguy Cariou (runner/strategist) and Jean-Francois Cuzon (navigator) plus the only women sailor in the event - American trimmer Katie Pettibone.
STRENGTHS
The French have a good boat. But its late launch could mean its full potential will never be reached. "I think we have a good base with our new boat," says design co-ordinator Dimitri Nicolopoulos.
PROSPECTS
Areva will certainly push Desafio Espanol, Mascalzone Latino and the Swedes for a spot in the semis. But a lack of funding will hurt their ambitions.
