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Ben Wright
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| Born on 10/12/1965 |
 The Groupama Team
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| It isn't a small team. It works like a well-oiled machine with some fine projects and some fine successes to its credit,
as much offshore, such as in the Jules Verne Trophy, as around the cans aboard Groupama 2. When they bought Ericsson 4 and
all the gear that went with it (2 tents, 10 containers, 60 sails), they wanted me to come along too. The fact that I speak
French is a plus.
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Shore Manager
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| The Volvo Ocean Race requires a great deal of logistics. There are a lot of things that move around and change and for
that you need someone capable of always anticipating what might be required and being responsive, at the service of the boat.
The race has already begun. You have to bear that in mind so as you make the most of the remaining time until the race sets
off from Alicante on 30th October 2011 and above all goes around the world.
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The Volvo Ocean Race
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| I've worked on the past two editions of the Volvo Ocean Race with ABN AMRO and Ericsson. I like offshore racing because
it's difficult. The boats are complicated and demanding. They must be able to sail at 100% of their potential, day and night,
in all weathers. It's important to know that because that's the reality. As such it's our duty to differentiate between the
design office and the sea. Our goal is not to create the most beautiful boat in the world but the one which goes the fastest.
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My experience
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I've sailed on 50 footers a great deal and then I worked on some America's Cup class boats like Areva, as well as for
Playstation and the Open 60s. This experience enables me to avoid options which are too risky.
It's funny to be back in
Lorient again eight years on with certain people like Luc Gellusseau, who are the same as during the period with Areva. I've
lived in France since 1993. After Paris and La Rochelle, I settled in Arradon, near Vannes in SW Brittany.
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The Groupama Team in relation to the others
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It's different because Groupama is a highly structured team which has existed for twelve years. The Volvo Ocean Race
generally last two years so it's a very different vision. However, the infrastructure is very clear and we know where we're
going. It's a great opportunity for me.
We're learning how to deal with a class measurement, which didn't exist in the
Jules Verne Trophy. It's something novel for the Groupama Team whilst it's par for the course for me. I think that's fantastic.
To
work in a team which is open internationally like Groupama, isn't a hardship. We all have to make an effort to put up with
each other but we've all got the same goal. It's highly motivating.
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My pleasure
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| I really like doing complicated, difficult things where decisions have an impact. I like doing the best you can in all
the different domains, so as to be effective. To contribute to making a boat perform well is very satisfying, even though
it's often difficult and sometimes tricky.
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The chances for a French team
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| The fact that I'm here means that I believe in them. Franck Cammas is highly intelligent and very capable. That's not
just true aboard a boat because in reality he sees a lot further than the helm. In France there are so many races and boat
types (from the 6.50 to the maxi trimaran via the Figaro and the IMOCA) that there is a real generation of very top level
sailors. You have to trust in them. It doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. In Brittany, there's an incredibly rich concentration
of sailors and an amazing offshore racing culture. The French sailor is very strong both at sea and on shore and I'm sure
we can do very well in the Volvo Ocean Race.
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Lorient
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| When you see what the town's doing for sailing, it's really impressive. No other town in the world is doing as much.
The Bay of Biscay is the perfect place for sailing and training. There's a real sailing culture, even though it's a bit wet
in winter. The infrastructure here will enable us to work efficiently too.
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