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Also, we didn’t really have any grinding capacity until a few months ago, and these guys coming in like Sam Bell, who raced in Portsmouth, are dinghy sailors or Olympic rowers. So. yes, I’m definitely imparting knowledge there. SH: How tight was the budget at the start of this campaign? GA: After the previous campaign the general assumption was we would move forwards and be OK, but losing the funding based around the Auckland qualifier really made it hard. Dalts does an exceptional job sourcing funding but had we known that the Auckland qualifier wasn’t going to take place, it’s likely we would have done a lot of things differently. SH: And the mood in New Zealand post-San Francisco… GA: When we returned from San Francisco I was blown away by the support from New Zealand as a whole. But then the 12 months or so of stuff appearing in the media, that wasn’t ideal, but most of it was out of our control. But we kept together, kept our heads down and focused on what we do, letting the results speak for the team. SH: What about balancing AC events with Olympic programmes? GA: I think the skill sets of those guys [Burling and Tuke], being race fresh and having their eyes in certainly make a big difference in the World Series events. The challenge for us is in race practice,
translate to success in sailmaking. North had a history of endlessly testing and improving sail designs and materials, which led to further success when he found ways to numerically describe his designs on computers. But lofts were only loosely linked, with most producing sails to their own designs albeit with the same blue label. Terry came from generations of success and manufacturing prowess in everything from plumbing parts to diesel generators. In common with Lowell he had an engineering degree and an appre- ciation of the importance of science in complex manufacturing, which sailmaking was even if not recognised as such at the time. What Terry also had was a competitive passion for sailing, racing on the Great Lakes and elsewhere, first on IOR boats named Agape, then with his Santa Cruz 70 Evolution. Combining this with excellent business management skills transformed Lowell’s company into a technology business recognised as an innovator. This would not have been possible without Terry’s unique confidence that a successful future in sailmaking could be secured through bold investment in new technologies allied to best business practice. The transformation was not easy: to become efficient North consolidated many operations and reduced some of the autonomy the Tigers had always enjoyed. But with new technologies coming into view like 3DL, the North team began to appreciate what Terry was making possible. As boat design and competitiveness evolved, so did sail design, making higher levels of performance possible for all, from club racer to grand prix.
Terry’s technical background and passion for sailing also gave
him a profound appreciation of the importance of applying scientific research to help improve performance and safety in the sport. His generous support of research, such as the MIT Pratt Project, numer- ous wind tunnel and tank tests, continues today with projects supported by the Sailing Yacht Research Foundation (SYRF). ‘We look forward to continuing Terry’s legacy,’ says Steve Benjamin, chairman of SYRF. ‘His enthusiasm was an inspiration to us all. I have no doubt that the work he has supported through SYRF will continue to benefit future generations who have the same passion as he had for the sport.’
The late Terry Kohler. Best known as the man who helped grow North Sails beyond recognition, Kohler was also the man behind Women’s Match Racing becoming a discipline at London 2012
as we don’t have a second boat like some of the other teams, so effectively we are coming into these events completely raw as a sailing team, jumping on an hour before getting into racing. That was pretty challenging! It’s like asking Roger Federer to go to an event without training for a month, it’s not ideal. SH: Final question… there was a show of hands to support changes to the Cup at the Portsmouth press conference. Yours was not one of the hands raised… GA: It’s an interesting one. I think to change the Deed of Gift after it’s been the longest-standing thing in the sport, and helps make the Cup so special, that risks a lot. We don’t know if this next event is great or not – how can you tell? How can you lock into something you don’t know and dispense with the very heritage that has shaped and protected the Cup. That is this team’s position. With such a historic event the Deed of Gift is worth paying attention to. Blue Robinson
USA
Terry Kohler: scientist, sailor, unwavering sailing supporter When Lowell North sold North Sails to a businessman from Wisconsin called Terry Kohler in 1984, few knew what to expect. North was a growing force in sailmaking at the time, evolving from being successful among one-design sailors to becoming a recognised player in the big boat and offshore markets. What Lowell had was a company based around his team of ‘Tigers’, the label he gave those he hired from among the biggest trophy winners, confident their proven success on the water would
20 SEAHORSE
Kohler was also the reason there was women’s match racing in the 2012 Olympic Games. As veteran umpire Henry Menin tells it, it all started with being with Terry on his poweryacht Northstarviewing the 2007 America’s Cup in Valencia, when the idea arose that with some clever politicking match racing might yet make it back into the Olympics. ‘He asked me, “How much do you think is needed to get started on this?” When I said about $100,000, he just said, “Then count on my support.”’
Later, when Terry asked Menin about progress, and Menin said they were on the hunt for a good three-person boat to use but were coming up short on options, the discussion turned to what the ideal design should be, and how much it would cost to design, build and transport to race venues. The eventual result was the Elliott 6.5. With experience of owning the powerboat manufacturer Edge - water, Terry quickly reckoned that ‘about $1 million’ was now needed to make the whole thing fly. When Menin balked at accepting such a sum, Terry told him, ‘Don’t tell me how to spend my money. I will get you $1 million to complete this project. End of conversation.’ World-renowned race manager Peter Reggio said, ‘The list of Terry’s accomplishments and contributions to our sport is testimony to his devotion to moving “the game” forward. He had a boundless energy that pushed those around him to be better. Terry was a giver, not a taker, and his enthusiasm for new and interesting ideas was infectious. I’m honoured to have been able to consider him a friend.’ ‘Over the years Terry became one of a handful of people I could call for advice when I had questions about my career,’ veteran TV commentator Gary Jobson said. ‘I never got the sense he was in it to promote himself, he was always working on behalf of someone else or a new idea or technology that would make the sport better. Whether it was wildlife or the environment, aviation or sailing, he was always working to make our world a better place. Quite rare.’ Dobbs Davis
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