French insurance group Groupama confirmed Monday the end of its sponsorship with an internationally acclaimed yachtsman Franck Cammas. Groupama, which has supported the French sailor since 1997, decided not to follow him in his new project for the 2021 America's Cup after supporting his team for the 2017 edition in Bermuda.
Says Groupama in its statement, "For Groupama, the sporting and geographical framework that has just been announced and recently confirmed by the organizers of the Cup is now too far from its natural mutualist European and French bases. It is in this context that the group thinks and will soon announce the evolution of its sponsorship policy which will remain ambitious but in different sports and geographical territories".
Although he can already count on the support of Norauto - a French based company which focuses on car repairs, car accessories and car parts - in his desired challenge for the America's Cup, Cammas recently explained that he would "exploit other interesting and innovative ways of financing".
On November 12, 1997, Groupama signed a first sponsorship contract with Cammas when the young sailor was just 25 years and exuding more promise than accomplishment. But for the next two decades, Cammas has grown to not just dominate sailing in France but in the world.
• Six-time ORMA champion (60ft multihull – Groupama 1- Groupama 2)
• Three-time winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre (Groupama 1 – Groupama 2)
• Six records, including the Jules Verne Trophy in 2010 (Groupama 3)
• Winner of the 2010 Route du Rhum (Groupama 3)
• Winner of the 2012 Volvo Ocean Race (Groupama 4)
• Winner of the Tour de France à la Voile in 2013 (Groupama 34)
• World Champion – Class C in 2013 and 2015 (Groupama C)
• Named “Sailor of the Year” in 2012 and 2013
