LE DEFI are preparing for their third America's Cup competition in a row. Founded in 1996, LE DEFI qualified for the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi Finals in 1999. But LE DEFI was eliminated at the Quarter Final stage from the most recent Louis Vuitton Cup in 2002.

LE DEFI will be moving to its team base in Valencia in June 2004, and will continue to train on the Mediterranean until it is time to ship the boat and equipment to Marseille for Act 1.

Xavier de Lesquen, Pierre Mas and Luc Gellusseau are the three principals of LE DEFI. The trio have guided France's America's Cup hopes for the last two events.

Website : www.ledefi.com