Please select your home edition
Edition
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

Alinghi legends- The ‘famous five’

by Alinghi Media on 1 Sep 2005
From left to right: Murray Jones, Dean Phipps, Brad Butterworth, Warwick Fleury and Simon Daubney - the Kiwi Five Th.Martinez http://www.thmartinez.com
Practice, perfection, professionalism and passion: all key elements of the Alinghi success. But the primary factor behind the Alinghi record is sheer talent.

The team is peppered with sailing ability of all nationalities (19 to be precise), but one nation stands out, at least at the back of the boat. It is made up of, what has been dubbed as the ‘famous five’: Brad Butterworth, Warwick Fleury, Simon Daubney, Murray Jones, Dean Phipps… names familiar to every young sailor, names that inspire.

This group of veterans has what is possibly the strongest alliance sailing in the 32nd America’s Cup. Tactician and Alinghi Vice President, Brad Butterworth; Mainsail trimmer, Warwick Fleury; Strategist, Murray Jones; Genoa trimmer, Simon Daubney and Runner/Pit, Dean Phipps, have sailed together since the mid 1980s. Among them, they have Olympic medals, Whitbread round-the-worlds and World Championships.

The ‘famous five’ came together in 1995 during the successful Team New Zealand challenge and have won every America’s Cup since. At 46 years old, Brad has the experience of seven Cups to his name and three wins plus a couple of round-the-worlds, one as watch captain for Sir Peter Blake on Steinlager II when she won the 1989-90 Whitbread Round The World Race. These boys have put in the miles.

Simon Daubney holds a similar record with six campaigns. Murray’s first Cup was in 1995 – he has four to his name – and Warwick, as did Brad, started the Cup game on the Kiwi’s12-M KZ-7. Dean Phipps, bowman extraordinaire and now runner/pit for Alinghi started at the age of 19 and is also on his seventh campaign, he raced on Steinlager II with Brad.

Dean is the only one of the group that has been part of non kiwi teams, (excluding Alinghi), the British challenge Victory ’83 and Australia IV.

We asked Brad Butterworth how it feels to be sailing with your best mates for over 20 years and still winning?

‘There are a lot of differences made in a team and having these guys around is fantastic because they make the boat faster and the job easier. It’s not rocket science to them. They’ve been doing it for a long time and have been coming up with the goods for a long time. We’ve got a great relationship and they are life long friends. It’s just great to be in a team with them’.

Is this strength of relationship what makes you so good?

‘Well, I would say that is a big part of it but now Alinghi has a bit of longevity in terms of its team and we’ve got some great characters on board, a great bunch of guys with whom the relationship is really strong and we can sail well together no matter what’.
McDYachts_Pyewacket-for-Sale_1456x180 BOTTOMBarton Marine Pipe GlandsNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Related Articles

X-Yachts In-House Boat Show 2025 Preview
More boats on display than ever before this November at the yard in Haderslev, Denmark This November, the X-Yachts yard in Haderslev will host an elevated edition of our In-House Boat Show 2025. With more boats on display than ever before, guided yard tours, charter stands and a chance to meet our global dealer network.
Posted today at 8:00 am
Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race overall
Presentation Ceremony held as breeze deprives last two boats As the official presentation ceremony of the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race (S2A) started at 12pm (NZDT), two yachts remain at sea, breeze deprived but rewarded with magical experiences.
Posted today at 3:00 am
Bulwarks and Bulldust – Show 4 Season 3
Matt Allen AM on Brisbane 2032, World Sailing, and of course, the 80th Sydney to Hobart Episode Four - In the Captain's Chair this week is Matt Allen AM
Posted on 17 Oct
IFCA Fin & Foil Slalom Europeans day 3
Sunshine and steady breeze - Foil racing back in action The IFCA European Championships Slalom Fin & Foilcontinue in the best possible way in Torbole, hosted by the Circolo Surf Torbole in collaboration with IFCA and under the authority of the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV).
Posted on 17 Oct
2025 Freestyle Pro Tour Naxos day 1
Tow-in funnel fiesta kicks off the action Straight from the banks of Lake Geneva to the sunny shores of Naxos, the Freestyle action doesn't stop!
Posted on 17 Oct
Rolex Middle Sea Race: Full Focus
118 yachts and 1000 crew gathered in Grand Harbour, Valletta For the 118 yachts and the 1000 crew gathered for the 46th Rolex Middle Sea Race, the waiting is almost over.
Posted on 17 Oct
2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race - The Maltese spirit
There are 13 Maltese teams. The Rolex Middle Sea Race lies at the heart of Malta's maritime heritage—a 606-nautical-mile challenge that continues to capture the imagination of sailors from around the world.
Posted on 17 Oct
2025 World Sailing Awards finalists revealed
Voting opens today, including Rolex World Sailor of the Year World Sailing is very proud to announce the finalists for this year's male and female Rolex World Sailor of the Year, male and female Kuehne+Nagel Young World Sailor of the Year, 11th Hour Racing Impact Award, and Team of the Year.
Posted on 17 Oct
2025 Aloha Classic Grand Final day 3
The biggest masters field in windsurfing history and junior champions crowned Day 3 of the Aloha Classic Grand Final delivered a spectacular showcase of windsurfing talent across generations, from the rising stars of the Junior and Pro Junior divisions to the legendary Masters.
Posted on 17 Oct
The Crazy Week of the Globe40
After two weeks at sea since the start from Cape Verde This has been a week we won't soon forget in the story of this second edition of the GLOBE40. After two weeks at sea since the start from Cape Verde in this high-coefficient (3) leg 2, the competitors continued their descent of the South Atlantic.
Posted on 17 Oct