AC China Team- crew lineup for Naples, new skipper

by AC China Team on 30 Mar 2012 After two intensive weeks of training in Sanya, China, China Team, the official Chinese challenger for the America’s Cup, is ready to compete in Naples America’s Cup World Series against the best sailors in the world with a new crew.

China Team trained on two M2 Ventilo catamarans, with the two skippers each vying for the respectable position as China Team skipper for the Naples World Series. Phil Robertson from New Zealand, currently ranked eighth worldwide in the World Match Racing Tour, and is aiming to be No 1, represents the young and up-and-coming ambitious new generation of skippers, and represents the future of sailing. At only 25 years old, Phil fronts WAKA Racing, a tight team of top young sailors, and has already won many major regattas.

Fred Le Peutrec, from France, is a seasoned multihull sailor. At 45 years old, and with a multitude of Olympic campaigns and world records, Fred represents the maturity that comes with such extensive experience. But nothing stops Fred from openly showing his passion for sailing and most specifically stating recently 'I just love multihulls!'

China Team CEO Thierry Barot says 'We had two weeks of exceptional training in Sanya. With the changing weather conditions and the amazing support from our partners, the Serenity Marina and the Serenity Marina Hotel, the team of eight sailors really exceeded all expectations. They progressed very quickly and spent the last five days competing in numerous regattas against each other in extremely varied wind conditions. Both skippers performed admirably well, and each had their own strengths at different times and in different conditions. We really waited until the last day to decide, as a team, who should be the main skipper in Naples for China Team and who would be the back-up skipper. In the end, we have decided that Fred will be the main skipper in Naples.'

China Team chairman Wang Chaoyong adds 'We believe that we are in a much better position for Naples, now that we have had the opportunity to train as a team. We need to demonstrate more consistency and this will come with teams that have been working and training together. We look forward to Naples and are aiming high.'

The other crew members in Naples will be Adam Martin, James Williamson, Garth Ellingham and Nick Catley.

Replacement crew will be Phil Robertson (skipper), Kit Cheng (from China) and Tudur Owen.