Spoiling Ainslies dream,
The Portsmouth America’s Cup World Series event kicks off the 35th America’s Cup cycle, but it is also a new start for everyone from organisers to sailors and spectators. One skipper thinks it’s like going to the moon
“We would like nothing more than to spoil the dream that Ben [Ainslie] and his team has, said Oracle Racing’s skipper Jimmy Spithill on the eve of the practice day here at the AC World Series in Portsmouth.
In print, such a comment looks rather harsh, but Spithill is well known for his sharp, quick witted, tongue-in-cheek comments. Had Ainslie been in the room, I’m pretty sure he would have taken such comments with a smile, perhaps even with a quick retort himself.
Less than two years ago the pair were not only team mates at Oracle Racing, but were both helmsmen in the same team, sparring partners which then led to the last minute powerful combo that won the America’s Cup for the American team. Among the long list of highly accomplished sailors that make up the six teams in the opening event of the 35th America’s Cup cycle, Ainslie and Spithill are two of the best.
But aside from the light hearted, yet serious comments, Spithill is always good for a quote or a different, innovative point of view. And at a press conference that was intended to announce engine manufacturer Yanmar’s further involvement as sponsorship partners, Spithill not only acknowledged the support but made some interesting points that left you thinking about how far this Cup chapter has moved on.
A lot of people think that money is the most valuable commodity in a team’s campaign, it’s not, it’s time, he said.If you miss a day you can’t get it back and that’s why reliability counts.
“Our support RIBs need to do 40knots all …read more
