GBR Challenge head to Denmark

With all but Richard Sydenham replaced in the Swedish Match Cup team...

Peter Harrison's GBR Challenge today announced the team that will represent the British America's Cup team in the Danish Open, taking place in Skovshoved from 14-19 August. Continuing the rotation selection policy designed to give as many of the sailing team as possible experience in the world match racing tour, only Richard Sydenham remains from the Swedish Match Cup team.

Two time Olympian, Andy Beadsworth, will helm with double Olympic Silver Medallist and GBR Challenge Sailing Team Manager Ian Walker calling the tactics. In front of them, Chris Main and Richard Sydenham will trim with Mark Sheffield operating the bow. The event marks a debut for Walker, Sheffield and Main for GBR Challenge on the Swedish Match Tour.

The regatta is a debut for Sheffield in an international match racing event. His only experience of match racing was in the RYA National Match Racing Championships in 1999, where he finished fourth in a crew featuring Gerry Mitchell, Jim Turner and Brendan Darrer.

The Danish Open also marks a return to the match racing circuit for Andy Beadsworth. Injured in a mountain biking accident at the end of March that resulted in a broken arm and hand, Beadsworth has not competed on the circuit since the Australia Cup.

Harrison's Sailing Manager, Walker explained the reason for the rotation policy: "Although we want to do as well as possible in each event that we go to, our programme is aimed at the Louis Vuitton Cup in thirteen months time. At this stage, it's important for as many of the team as possible to sail together, in pressurised match racing that these events provide.
The GBR Challenge team, supported by Colorcraft for this event, will face seven America's Cup teams, including:

Magnus Holmberg - Victory
Jesper Bank - Victory
Peter Holmberg - Oracle Racing
Morten Henriksen - Illbruck
Gavin Brady - Prada
Murray Jones - Alinghi
Sebastian Destramau - Le Defi

"Whilst we've not yet won any events on the Swedish Match Tour as a syndicate, the scratch crews that have raced have improved our results at every event throughout the year. We'll try to continue that trend with this new team in Skovshoved," added Harrison.