Le Défi Areva, the French America’s Cup boat (FRA-69), has left the Multiplast boatyard of Vannes and is currently sitting in the Lorient Base awaiting its official christening and launching ceremony on 17 May.

After the official launch on the Friday, the festivities will continue the next day with an on the water procession organised by the CNL (Cercle Nautique de Lorient) starting at 1500.

The Lorient-based supporters club will be officially launched at 1600 giving fans a chance to register and sign messages of encouragement on a white spinnaker which will be carried by the sailors in Auckland. After the ceremony, there’ll also be the chance for spectators to chat to the team about the new boat and the challenge.