AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT
Created in 2019 at the joint initiative of Aurélien Ducroz, double World Ski Freeride Champion and Class40 World Champion, and Cyril Vidal, Chairman and Founder of Crosscall, a French brand developing and producing more durable smartphones and an expert in critical communication solutions, the Crosscall Sailing Team has completed its first three-season campaign, which wrapped up in 2022 with its participation in the legendary Route du Rhum.
Driven by the ambition to take on the oceans in the next leg of their joint adventures, they decided to double down on their partnership and sign with new co-partners until 2025. Objective: To continue to optimise the performances of the Crosscall Class40 prototype, and to share new human-based and sporting adventures for the biggest ocean racing events in the category.
CYRIL VIDAL,
Chairman and Founder of Crosscall
AURÉLIEN DUCROZ,
World Ski Freeride Champion & Skipper of the Crosscall Sailing Team
A PROTOTYPE COMBINING INNOVATION AND DURABILITY
The Crosscall Class40 was designed to be both reliable and high-performing thanks to innovative lines, which give it new navigation capacities, its embedded electronics, which were previously only found in boats of a higher category, and also the design and material choices, all made with durability in mind.
« We have made the most of winter 2023 to optimise the performances of the Crosscall Class40, working towards the Transat Jacques Vabre. For this, amongst various other work elements, we have developed its lines so that it can benefit from the latest innovations in terms of design and glide on the water.»
AURÉLIEN DUCROZ
World Ski Freeride Champion
Class40 World Champion
Skipper of the Crosscall Sailing Team
Aurélien Ducroz's dream
Aurélien wanted to surround himself with a passionate team to develop a high-performance boat and to cross the Atlantic, taking part in the biggest ocean racing events. To achieve this, the Crosscall Sailing Team has been working closely with the Marc Lombard Design firm, which boasts exceptional expertise in the design of high-performance and reliable Class40 boats.
NEW FEATURES FOR THE CROSSCALL CLASS40 FOR 2023
A new stem
The lower section of the hull has been entirely cut to put in a new stem. With a more compact design, it improves the boat's reactivity and speed in heavy seas. The forefoot (the lowest point) has also been raised, allowing Crosscall to maintain its tipped, ski-like look, ready to surf in the winds of the Transat Jacques Vabre!
A reinforced mast
After being struck by a broken mast in the Route du Rhum, a new mast enhanced with a second layer of spreaders incorporated into the boat to boost its reliability.
A new look
A new covering created by the Crosscall design teams, who played on the concept of waves, combining technological and marine symbolism. The new stem stands out against the hull, like ski tip against the snow.
CROSSCALL TECHNOLOGY CENTRAL TO HIGH PERFORMANCE
The embedded technology and, in particular, the waterproof Crosscall smartphones and tablets, continues to play a central role in the Crosscall Sailing Team's quest for exceptional performance. These terminals allow Aurélien to access all of the navigation data he needs, wherever the boat is and with exceptional reading comfort. Perfect conditions for making the right decisions at the right time.
This device also acts as an open-air laboratory for the French manufacturer, as it uses Aurélien's feedback and observations from on board the boat to develop its products and to pass the benefits on to all its users.
Navigation system
The CORE-T5 tablet is used as a remote display on board the boat: From the cockpit, Aurélien can get a real-time vision of all of the information delivered by the on-board instrumentation. This way, he can optimise his sailing time by avoiding superfluous back-and-forths.
Capturing images
Aurélien Ducroz is also using smartphone to film, edit, and share his adventures, and to create immersive and original content, packed full of action and emotions, just like he did during the 2021 Transat Jacques Vabre and the 2022 Route du Rhum.
STELLAR-X5
Even in the middle of the ocean, Aurélien can create immersive content and share his adventures in HD thanks to the STELLAR-X5's waterproof camera.
X-VIBES
Once he is put on the X-VIBES bone conduction headset, Aurélien can communicate whilst keeping his ears free to listen out for noises from the boat.
CORE-T5
Aurélien uses the large screen of the CORE-T5 tablet to read the information delivered by the on-board instrumentation.
GET KITTED OUT LIKE AURÉLIEN
Looking for high-performing products for sailing? Follow in Aurélien's footsteps and put your trust in Crosscall and its products, which are resistant, waterproof, and high-performing, even in challenging conditions.
STELLAR-X5
- Waterproof, durable, slim and elegant
- 5G, Wifi6/6E, X-LINK, X-SPACE
- Recycled materials and 5-year warranty
X-VIBES
- Bone conduction technology
- Long-distance communication using the ENC algorithm
- 14 hours of battery life and weighs in at just 34g
AURÉLIEN DUCROZ, THE OCEAN RIDER
Aurélien Ducroz, the son of a high-altitude mountain guide (his father) and a ski instructor (his mother), started out in competitive alpine skiing before turning his hand (or rather ski) to ski jumping. Following an injury just before the 2002 Olympic Games, he discovered freeride skiing while working as a stunt double for a film, and he then decided to focus on this discipline.
A STYLE THAT HAS MARKED A GENERATION
Aurélien Ducroz made a remarkable début as a professional freeriding, claiming third place in the World Cup in 2004, then going on to win the title of Vice-World Champion the following year. Thanks to his ski jumping experience, he developed a new, innovative skiing style that was quicker, smoother, and more extreme.
In 2009 and 2011, he was crowned World Ski Freeride Champion at the flagship Freeride World Tour event, the Xtreme de Verbier.
DISCOVERING OCEAN RACING
In 2007, Aurélien accepted the offer of sponsoring sailor Adrien Hardy's boat. He became fascinated by ocean racing and decided to sail with Adrien. This experience introduced him to new sensations, and led to the making of a big decision: To make a living out of his two passions, the ocean and the mountains.
« Sailing was a real eye-opener for me, I started from zero but it was an amazing feeling. It was not easy, but the adversity allowed me to progress
and move forward. In this sport, you need to always keep the notion of adaptability in mind.»
AURÉLIEN DUCROZ,
World Ski Freeride Champion
Class40 World Champion
Skipper of the Crosscall Sailing Team
A WORLD CHAMPION TITLE FOR THE CROSSCALL SAILING TEAM
Aurélien Ducroz, double World Ski Freeride Champion, won the Class40 World Championship in June 2022 with his crew, including the talented Vincent Riou and experienced sailors. The clever match sheet was crucial to the victory in a close racing context.
AURÉLIEN NAMES VINCENT RIOU AS HIS CO-SKIPPER
Winner of the 2005 Vendée-Globe, Vincent Riou, will therefore be alongside Aurélien Ducroz for this double-handed racing season. This seasoned skipper, who knows all there is to know about sailing, is choice partner for supporting Aurélien in this new chapter in his Crosscall Sailing Team adventure.
Having already teamed up and come out victorious at the last Class40 World Championship in La Rochelle, they are forming an ambitious team as they take on three exceptional races — the Normandy Channel Race, the Sables-les Açores, and the 40 Malouine — combining their skills to conquer their major goal of the Transat Jacques Vabre.
AURÉLIEN DUCROZ,
World Ski Freeride Champion
Class40 World Champion
Skipper of the Crosscall Sailing Team
« Aurélien and I have taken very different career paths previously, but we both speak the same language, which I really love. Crosscall is a highly versatile and fast boat, in any conditions. We are both going to bring skills, drive, and motivation to the table. »
VINCENT RIOU,
Co-skipper of the Crosscall Sailing Team
VINCENT RIOU,
Co-skipper du Crosscall Sailing Team
Winner of the 2005 Vendée Globe and claiming second place in the 2017 Transat Jacques Vabre, Vincent Riou has given his all alongside Aurélien, from the very start with the boat preparation phase, aiming to be top performers at the 2023 Transat Jacques Vabre.
The two skippers share the same values and are looking to find a common language for sailing together. This year, Vincent Riou is focusing on this project and is planning on enjoying amazing experiences out at sea with the line-up of skippers planned.
IT MAY BE QUICKER TO GO ALONE, BUT WE'LL GO FURTHER TOGETHER
« Building a boat and its optimisation over several years is a major project. So, strong ties are formed between a skipper and their partners. The human aspect is extremely important, even essential. In competitions, you are alone up against the ocean, but there is incredible support behind you. That is what pushes us to keep going, for the team. »
AURÉLIEN DUCROZ,
World Ski Freeride Champion
Class40 World Champion
Skipper of the Crosscall Sailing Team
PARTNERS GETTING ON BOARD
Setting sail for excellence is a work team in which each partner adds their own contribution, lending their expertise to the success of the Crosscall Sailing Team.
press contact
Crosscall
Pauline Chanut
pauline.chanut@crosscall.com
Crosscall
Pierre Chatain
pierre.chatain@crosscall.com
AURÉLIEN DUCROZ
Émilie Rouzaud
emilierouz@gmail.com