Sailor profile- Sebastien Col and Pataugas K-Challenge
by Lynn Fitzpatrick on 2 Feb 2009
Louis Vuitton Pacific Series - Day 1 - K-Challenge off Devonport Richard Gladwell
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Sebastian Col claimed the top spot in the match racing rankings in the autumn of 2006 and has been persistent about staying there. He has been a dominant player on the World Match Racing Tour and involved with AC Cup campaigns since 2002 when he was the training boat helmsman and strategist for K-Challenge.
Col revealed his recruiting process, 'I drew my team from the seven guys that have raced with me in the World Match Racing Tour and we recruited from other teams that are not competing in this event, such as Defasio Espanol. We contacted key players from each part of the boat and allowed them to build their crew. From the time that we started recruiting in November, it took us three weeks to hire the team.'
Carlo Costellano is one of the team of grinders recruited from Defasio Espanol. He says with a broad smile, 'Here nobody is bad. Each of us was a little rusty. Each race is really difficult. Everyone is using this as preparation for the next America’s Cup.'
Col would like to plan for the America’s Cup, but his horizon doesn’t extend beyond March at the moment. He is happy to be in Auckland at the Louis Vuitton Pacific series along with the professional sailors that he sees at so many races around the world. 'This event is a win-win,' says Col. 'We are professional sailors. We have to think about sailing. We have families and obligations. The sailors are happy because they are busy. The challengers have to work more and more together and be more independent of BMW Oracle and Alinghi.
Enthusiastic about the format of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, Col sees the short courses and evenly matched boats as being interesting for the sailors. 'Expect more crashes,' said Col on the second day of racing. Likewise, says Col, 'I would like to see a class of boats where the spectators can appreciate the intensity and skill needed to compete.'
With a bye in during the second day of racing, Col watched the Greeks, who took their first few sails on an America’s Cup class boat under his direction, defeat Shosholoza. They sailed conservatively in their second match race as a team and demonstrated that they are quick learners.
Col and Pataugas K-Challenge suffered a defeat to Damiani Italia during the third day of round robin racing. BMW Oracle and Team Origin scored wins against China Team and Alinghi, respectively, during Sunday’s windy round. The final race of the day between Luna Rossa and Shosholoza was rescheduled due to heavy winds.
To read other stories on the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series by Lynn Fitzpatrick see www.worldregattas.com
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