GBR Challenge face experienced test in quarter-finals
by GBR Challenge 10 Nov 2002 22:10 GMT
Tomorrow is the start of the Louis Vuitton cup quarter-finals, with GBR Challenge up against Stars & Stripes (USA) in a best of seven series. The match pits the British newcomers against the most experienced America’s Cup team in the world, led by four-time winner Dennis Conner.
Whilst there are several similarities between the teams in terms of budget, and relative size, the syndicates are poles apart in terms of age and experience. Conner’s team was formed 18 years ago, whilst Harrison’s launched publicly in January 2001. Out of the 16 sailors that GBR Challenge are likely to line up against, all have previous experience of the competition with eight having won the America’s Cup.
Despite the fact that the average age of the British team is 29, nine years younger than Stars & Stripes, GBR Challenge lists six Olympic medals compared to the Americans’ one. Whilst Harrison’s young team lacks experience at this level, there is no shortage of talent.
For the Quarter Finals, GBR Challenge will line up in GBR 70. Founder & Chairman Peter Harrison explained rationale for the selection. “Given the conditions in the break period, we’ve not been able to sail GBR78 as much as we would have liked in the full range of conditions. Whilst GBR 78 has enormous potential, GBR 70 represents a known entity at this stage. The crew are very comfortable sailing Wight Lightning and we’ve made further changes that we’re happy with.”
“We have beaten Stars & Stripes once using Wight Lightning, and have narrowly lost once. It will be tough, however I am confident that we have the boat and team to progress to the next stage.”
A Comparison between GBR Challenge and Stars & Stripes
The Quarter Final match between GBR Challenge and Stars & Stripes pits one of the least experienced America’s Cup teams left at this stage of the competition against the team with the most experience.
In the entire Stars & Stripes team, 30 people have America’s Cup experience, 10 of whom have been part of winning campaigns.
In the entire GBR Challenge team 12 people have experience of the Louis Vuitton Cup or America’s Cup, none of whom have been part of winning campaigns.
Here is the comparison between the projects and the sailing teams.
| GBR Challenge | Stars & Stripes |
|---|
| Project background |
|---|
| Team formed January 2001 | Team formed 1984 |
| Launched GBR 70 in June 2002 | Launched USA 66 in January 2002 |
| Launched GBR 78 in August 2002 | Launched USA 77 in May 2002 |
| Sailing in NZ since Sept 2001 | Sailing in NZ since Sept 2002 |
| Budget $34 million | Estimated budget $35 million |
| Sailing Team background |
|---|
| 29 team members used 2002 LV Cup | 19 team members used 2002 LV Cup
|
| 5 sailing team members with previous LV / America’s Cup experience | 16 A-boat sailing team members with previous LV / America’s Cup experience |
| No sailing team member has won the America’s Cup | 8 sailing A-boat team members have won the America’s Cup |
| Average age 29 | Average age 38 |
| Six Olympic Medals (One gold, three silver, two bronze) | One Olympic medal (Dennis Conner won bronze in the Tempest Class in 1976) |