25 April 2016
Cup Experience Monday News
A Day on the Water with SoftBank Team Japan
The World's First (?) AC Grind-off at Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute
Franck Cammas Back on the Helm for ACWS New York
Ask Jack: Tommy Lee Jones helps explain the SoftBank mascot, "Otosan"
A Day on the Water with SoftBank Team Japan...and others
Friday 22 April 2016 All three Bermuda-based teams training off the North Shore
Photo: Jack Griffin
I visited SoftBank Team Japan last Friday and got to spend the afternoon on their chase boat. The team has a real depth of experience from AC34: Dean Barker, Derek Saward, Jero Lomas and Winston MacFarlane were all onboard Team New Zealand's AC72 in San Francisco. Wing trimmer and sailing manager Chris Draper helmed Luna Rossa. Grinder Simeon Tienpont was grinder and boat captain for Oracle's AC72. General manager Kasuhiko Sofuku sailed on Nippon Challenge in 2000. The team is developing younger sailors including Japanese team members Yugo Yoshida and Yuki Kasitani and Australian multihull specialist Jason Waterhouse.
Although the team has purchased a design package from Oracle, Nick Holroyd, formerly head of design at Team New Zealand, is making his presence felt, especially with work on board design. Nick was at the cutting edge of the foiling breakthrough during the last campaign.
The team base at Dockyard is growing, with office space and a lounge and kitchen popping up quickly with modular construction.
On the water I saw all three Bermuda based teams out on the water - SoftBank Team Japan, Artemis Racing and, with two boats, Oracle. Looking for long stretches of open water, all four boats headed out of the Great Sound and did several straightline speed runs off Bermuda's beautiful north shore. No one looked noticeably faster than the others. AC35 will be hard fought and every team is likely to be strong and competitive. SoftBank Team Japan did a few well-executed foiling gybes, but that is to be expected, given that Dean mastered that maneuver long before any of the other helmsmen. Of course, the other teams were also smooth in their maneuvers, but no one should think of SoftBank Team Japan as a "new crew." A new team, yes, but one with lots of experience and strength.
Was This the World's First AC Grind-off?
At Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute's Fund Raising Gala
Graeme Spence of ORACLE TEAM USA powers through a 60 second all out burst while BUEI's Executive Director Mel Ferson counts down the time.
Each of the Bermuda-based teams competed in the charity grind-off. From left to right, Graeme Spence, OTUSA, Luke Parkinson, Artemis Racing, Simeon Tienpont (with daughter Sara) from SoftBank Team Japan. Graeme won the competition but everyone was a winner as the gala brought in over $100,000, including a hefty live auction bid for a ride on Artemis Racing's turbo boat! A big THANK YOU to all three teams for their support.
Franck Cammas to Helm Groupama Team France in NYC
Franck Cammas training for New York. Notice the carbon fiber custom leg brace on his right leg. Image: Groupama Team France
Only five months after almost losing his right foot in a training accident, Franck Cammas will be back on the helm of the French boat for the America's Cup World Series in New York on May 7-8. Rehab has been fast but painful: “Racing in New York will punctuate five extremely intense months and a rehabilitation programme, which I’ve tried my best to control. I focused on the positives the minute I learnt that my foot had been saved. From that point, I gave my all to my rehabilitation and the other team-related activities. I think this approach got me into a virtuous circle, which favoured my recuperation. However, it’s important not to lose sight of the tough times where the pain really called for me to grit my teeth. I put myself in the red in a bid to recover as quickly as possible. When you’re aware that the group is in training and progressing and you can’t be part of all that it’s frustrating and inevitably led to tension at times. I had to get back to the top of my game, which took a great deal of effort and self-sacrifice. Today, I’m still cautious when it comes to jumping on the trampoline, but I’m more motivated than ever and I’m happy to be in a position to face up to the competition with a talented crew. I’ve missed the competition environment. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Adam Minoprio, who fulfilled his role as replacement to perfection in Oman. It was a very positive experience for the whole team.”
As for the conditions in New York, Cammas said, "In New York, in May, there can be a little thermal breeze, but above all there will be a lot of current off the Statue of Liberty. The East River and the Hudson River converge here so there can be as much as three knots of current. We’ll have to know how to play that to our advantage."
The crew of Groupama Team France in New York from 5 to 8 May 2016?
Helmsman / skipper : Franck Cammas
Wing trimmer : Thierry Fouchier
Tactics : Thomas Le Breton
Headsail trimmer : Hervé Cunningham
Bowman : Devan Le Bihan
Replacement : Olivier Herledant
Reader Questions to "Ask Jack"
Ask me anything about the America's Cup! I don't claim to know all the answers, but I usually can find someone with the information.
Just reply to this email, or use the "Ask Jack" page on my website.
Jack, My not-very-sailing-related question: What is that strange animal on SoftBank Team Japan's jib?
George, from Scotland
Hello Al,
That's not a strange looking animal, that is Otosan, the SoftBank mascot and the "top dog" in Japan. He is really a man trapped in a dog's body. His adventures feature in a series of ads that are very popular in Japan, like this one at 49 seconds into this video, with Tommy Lee Jones:
Watch the Video
Thanks for your questions! Keep ‘em coming!
Best,
Jack
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