|
|
|
-
A
day with the GBR Challenge
(12/02/01)
(source
: madforsailing)
|
Andy Beadsworth's diary reveals all about GBR Challenge
programme.
"I could never have imagined how physical the life
is in an America's Cup campaign, even after doing an Olympic
campaign. The big difference is that everything we do is
physically hard. Sailing the boat is physically demanding,
not only for the grinders but for everyone.
Arriving at the base at 08.30, after having already been
to the gym and eaten breakfast, we debrief for an hour discussing
techniques and situations from the day before, analysing
the edited video footage and then discussing plans for the
day.
Next we prepare the boat, pack the sails and load them onto
the boat, along with spares for the support boat. Assuming
there are no problems or maintenances issues, we aim to
leave the dock by 10.15 and are then towed to the sailing
area, the Hauraki Gulf. This gives us a chance for a rest
and a bite to eat (it is maybe 4pm before we next see some
food), before doing warm up exercises and then hoisting
the sails. Now the real work and concentration starts.
Our early program centred around doing some start drills,
time and distance, followed by four laps around an America's
Cup length course (3 mile legs approx) fitting in all the
major manoeuvres likely to be used. These included peeling
spinnakers that rip and changing ripped headsails on the
run with only one halyard and single groove foil (a well
practiced manoeuvre!).
If everyone commits 100 %, it is an exhausting day when
it all goes to plan, never mind when we make a mistake and
even more effort is required to put it right. Worst of all,
we sometimes break something and then have to spend long
hours fixing it when we get back to shore. As a small team
we do not have the luxury of a large shore team who take
over when we come ashore. Generally if we break it, we fix
it.
When the time on the water is over, the sails are dropped
and packed and the rest of lunch is rapidly consumed during
a general debrief. Sailing checks are carried out on the
tow in to identify any potential breakages or areas requiring
further attention. These are completed ashore when the boat
is emptied and sails are unpacked and hung to dry or sorted
for repair.
The boat is hauled, washed and put to bed ready for sailing
the next day. The after guard write notes and diaries while
Bill Edgerton, our coach, looks through all the video footage
and compiles an edited debrief tape for the following morning's
briefing. It is unusual to be home before 7pm.
Now we have started two boat training the work load is even
higher. The sessions are longer and more intense, the debriefs
longer and the breakages more numerous". |
| |
|
-
John
Prescott visits GBR Challenge
(12/02/01)
(source
: madforsailing)
|
The British Deputy Prime Minister, John 'two Jags'
Prescott, launched the summer training session for the first
British America's Cup Challenge in 15 years when he visited
the GBR Challenge base in Auckland, New Zealand today.
Wishing the British crew well in their build-up to the Louis
Vuitton Cup, Mr Prescott said he had seen first-hand the
benefits of winning the America's Cup during his visit to
the base in the Viaduct Harbour. He urged British people
to add their support and challenged businesses to recognise
the benefits that New Zealand had gained from the America's
Cup - including its successful defence in 2001.
"Everyone from Government Ministers to people working in
shops knows about the America's Cup, what it means for New
Zealand and what it has done for Auckland," he said. "The
Viaduct Harbour was a dilapidated fishing harbour surrounded
by old commercial shipping warehouses. The America's Cup
stimulated a complete redevelopment of the area, transforming
it into a vibrant, interesting and exciting place." |
| |
|
-
The
GBR Challenge Base is open
(11/22/01)
(source
: GBR Challenge)
|
|
GBR Challenge Chairman Peter Harrison today officially
opened the base from which the syndicate will mount its
tilt at the world’s oldest sporting trophy, the America’s
Cup.
Peter Harrison told his guests “I have a very good feeling
about being in Auckland and in realising a long-held personal
ambition to enter the America’s Cup - this challenge is
not a one-off. Firstly we have 14 years to make up and
we have taken a number of strategic actions to do what
your All Black Rugby Team would call playing catch-up
rugby.”
“We are well aware of the learning curves we have to climb
but I am doing this with real ambition of winning and
bringing the Cup to the UK. Our results at the America’s
Cup Jubilee against Team New Zealand and Prada caused
quite an impact…but there’s still a long way to go yet.
Our sponsors and partners will benefit from being part
of an exciting and rewarding journey.”
The GBR Challenge base is less lavish than some on “syndicate
row” in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, but is consistent
with the compact, efficient character of the challenge.
Work hardly missed a beat for the official opening, with
crew members hosting guests on tours of the base before
returning to the their build-up work.
Base 8 includes a sail loft, admin offices, operations
facility, travel lift and extended pontoon as well as
an executive office suite across the street from which
the sponsorship and marketing team operate. The team is
based there until the end of March, when it will return
the UK for the launch of the new yacht.
The base opening was also the first time that the British
Challenge’s America’s Cup yachts, GBR 44 and GBR 52, have
been seen together in New Zealand, with 52 arriving by
container ship about a week before. Unfortunately the
typically fickle Auckland weather refused to co-operate,
with high winds and driving rain preventing any sailing
on the day.
Peter Harrison outlined the mood in the team. “David Barnes,
Ian Walker and myself are pleased with the progress so
far. We are constantly evaluating everything and have
set up a number of objectives for the second phase, to
ensure that we continue to improve in all areas of the
project.
“We have managed to hit the ground running with a smooth
transfer of operations to Auckland and the team are now
familiar with the Hauraki Gulf after spending the last
two months here. We will continue to work on speed through
technique and sail and configuration changes and continue
to benefit from by training in the same waters that the
Louis Vuitton Cup races will be held in.”
“We will simulate race situations with our two boats to
give the sailing team the experience they need. The demanding
training regime planned will look to build on the big
gains already made in strength and fitness. We have made
a good start and now need to take everything to a new
level.”
|
|
-
GBR
Challenge works towards deadline
(10/18/01)
(source
: Mark
Bullingham on gbrchallenge.com) |
Whilst their colleagues in the Sailing Team are learning
the vagaries of the Hauraki Gulf, the members of the GBR
Challenge Design Team are finalising their concepts as they
approach the end of month deadline. Currently the team is
in a three week tank testing session, which is their fifth
and final time in the Qinetic facility in Gosport, working
with the Wolfson Unit.
Whilst the pressure is on the design team to come up with
a fast design, it must also reflect what the sailing team
want to achieve. For this reason the sailing team must be
involved in the design process and any decision will be
a team decision based on what is right for GBR Challenge
in this campaign. On 1st November, the final design for
the first ever British built America's Cup Class yacht will
be handed to the Build Team.
General Manager David Barnes already knows it will be a
difficult decision : "This decision is obviously more difficult
for a one boat programme, and can be a philosophical one.
The bigger teams can build a 'safe option' - probably an
evolution of previously successful AC boats - and a more
revolutionary boat based on new thoughts and ideas. We can
only choose one and we must decide down which route we should
go."
“All of our designers have worked tirelessly to come up
with the best solution to the America’s Cup Class Rule and
I have been very pleased with the progress they have made.”
The new boat will be constructed in the build shed at the
GBR Challenge Base in Cowes, which is now ready following
the completion of the 100 foot long oven. |
| |
-
Paul
Standbridge Joins GBR Challenge
(10/16/01)
(source
: Mark
Bullingham on gbrchallenge.com) |
It was announced today that Paul Standbridge, 42, one
of the most experienced British offshore sailors, is to
join GBR Challenge. Standbridge will be assisting Ian Walker
with the sailing team management, in addition to offering
an extra coaching resource and years of competitive experience.
Standbridge's record includes 13 Fastnet races, five Whitbread
Round The World Races - most recently as skipper of Toshiba
in the 1997/98 race - and bowman of the last British America's
Cup campaign in 1987. He joins the team this week, from
his role as Skipper of Stealth, Giovanni Agnelli's 92 foot
super maxi. He is now based in Auckland, along with Nicky
and Max - his wife and young child.
GBR General Manager David Barnes commented: "As the organisation
has evolved so to must the management resource. Paul was
our number one target and we are very pleased that he has
decided to join us. I think it says a lot about the increased
profile of GBR Challenge that Paul has agreed to move his
family to the other side of the world and become part of
the team."
"Paul's immense experience will help in all areas of the
project, but in particular he will assist Ian Walker in
many of his day to day responsibilities, allowing Ian to
spend more time on the water. " |
|
