After a truly torrid and constantly disrupted run-up to the 2013 Louis Vuitton Cup, Artemis Racing, led now by Iain Percy (above centre) and with Nathan Outteridge driving, somehow pulled off the near-impossible in taking the fight to AC72 challenger rivals Luna Rossa, winning several starts and top-mark roundings…
gold medallists sound for talent? Proven campaigners, winners at the highest level. No other team can boast such depth. I will stop you right there. I can hear you thinking: ‘Yeah, yeah, a team of champions, but will it be a champion team?’ The 2017 Artemis Racing sailing team members have known each other, through good and bad times, for years; competed against and with each other for decades.
Take Freddy Lööf and Iain Percy. They have known and competed against each other in the Olympics for 20 years. Going into the last race of the 2008 Olympics, Lööf was winning the Star gold medal, only to have Percy take it at the finish. The tables were reversed by the Swede in London four years later. Through all that they remained mates and, perhaps more importantly, still held respect for each other. Oh, and before that they sailed Finns against each other for 10 years of Olympic sailing.
Or take Nathan Outteridge who, along with Iain Jensen, domi- nated the 2012 Olympics in the 49er class. They were also an integral part of the first Artemis Racing reset, Nathan winning most of the starts against Luna Rossa and, I might add, quite a few against Emirates Team New Zealand, in training. Nathan was part of the glue that held Artemis Racing together in its darkest days. He was also winner of the last foiling Moth Worlds and would be the helmsman of choice for just about any team. The feeling of unity and common purpose is strong with Artemis Racing 2.0. I make no apologies for the guys being the best of the best. We have talent and passion that other teams dream of. My job, really our job, is to get the best out of each and every one, both individually and for the team. Big ask? Yep, but every coach, in any sport, would love to be in my shoes right now. Together we are building a culture that will set the standard for the future. It’s not a copy of any existing sporting culture. We take the best of other sporting traditions. Our culture will be custom built to fit us, Artemis Racing.
We are in a unique position, no longer a first-time team, but one that has been battle hardened and is well aware of the way this game needs to be played. At the same time, not handcuffed or bound by past baggage that other teams carry for the next four years. You can see on the shopfloor, in the design office, everywhere, there is an enthusiasm and a spring in everyone’s step. We know we can do something truly special here, and we are not going to miss our opportunity.
The reset is almost complete. Artemis Racing could rewrite how the America’s Cup is won. Not money or tricks, but passion and unity. So bring forward the next Cup. Bring it on. We are going to rewrite the ‘what’ an America’s Cup team should be.
SEAHORSE 23
MAKE THE SAME CHOICE AS THE WORLD’S GREATEST SAILORS!
Ranges from 6 to 90m boats
Following the success of our furlers and blocks, we now bring you the KFx and KJ Jammer, equally at home on the Route de Rhum start line, as they are cruising the world.
SANDER VAN DER BORCH/ARTEMIS
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