GC32 Racing Tour – Can one town tip the scales for Armin Strom Team?

by Quinag on 30 Jun 2016 With the second event of the GC32 Racing Tour, the Malcesine Cup in Italy, just around the corner, four of Armin Strom Sailing Team members have one major thing in common – the place they call home.

Kerikeri, one of New Zealand’s most northernmost towns is where team manager Sharon Ferris-Choat, bowman Alex Bryning, boat captain Ned Dalbeth Hudson and two-time Kiwi Olympian Andrew Murdoch, the latest addition to Armin Strom Sailing Team, all grew up. Their passion for sailing ignited while attending Kerikeri High School.

With a population of 6,500, Kerikeri is known for its rural surroundings, plentiful orchards and a true laid back Kiwi lifestyle. What it is perhaps less known for is the long list of Olympians, America’s Cup winners, Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Race sailors, world champions, national champions, and World Match Racing Tour event sailors that have walked the same streets and shared the same classrooms.

Sharon Ferris-Choat, stepping aboard for this event as mainsheet trimmer and tactician, says the hometown link could prove to be an advantage.

“There is something in knowing you’ve all been brought up in the same place. It’s a connection we’re all proud of, especially as our small Kiwi town continues to produce world-class sailors.”

Sharon says Andrew’s top-level sailing Olympic sailing experience – he finished fifth in the Laser Class at both the Beijing and London Games - and his relaxed yet hardworking personality will bring a positive dimension to the team.

“Andrew knows what it takes to sail at the highest level, and understands the need for a strong team structure for a campaign to be truly competitive. Being able to work together and to respect one another’s roles is absolutely critical to successfully sail the GC32.”

Although Andrew’s most recent events have been in the single-handed Finn class, he’s looking forward to becoming part of the team.

“I have had a lot of experience racing as part of a team – and am used to dealing with different personalities and styles of sailing. I’m fairly laid back but I do have high expectations of myself, and will be pushing hard during the training and racing.”

The readiness to welcome Andrew onto the team and to change the crew combination between events is attributed to the talented pool of sailors in the Armin Strom Sailing Team squad, according to skipper Flavio Marazzi: “When Sharon and I set up the team back in October our goal was to have a strong squad to select from for any event and be confident in the depth of talent in our team. The squad members not only needed to be great sailors but also bring other attributes, skills and knowledge to the team.”

The Armin Strom Sailing Team line up for the GC32 Malcesine Cup is:

Flavio Marazzi, SUI, Skipper
Sharon Ferris-Choat, NZL, Tactician/Mainsheet
Shane Diviney, IRL, Trimmer
Alex Bryning, NZL, Bowman
Andrew Murdoch, NZL, Boards
Diego Stefani, URU, Coach
Ned Dalbeth-Hudson, NZL, Boat Captain

The team is currently training on Lake Garda in preparation for the GC32 Malcesine Cup which starts on 7 July, and forms part of The Foiling Week.