Pirate joins Alinghi

Craig Satterthwaite signs on at pitman

Craig Satterthwaite (NZL) joins Alinghi, Defender of the 32nd America’s Cup, fresh from the Round the World Volvo Ocean Race, which he raced on The Black Pearl (Pirates of the Caribbean) with fellow Alinghi crew mates Rodney Ardern and Curtis Blewett.

This was his second round the world race which he adds to America’s Cup experience gained from working for Team New Zealand in 2003 as boat captain. He brings with him expertise, both on the ACC racing yacht and ashore: “As runner/pit, I will be filling gaps for the team as an all-rounder and on shore I will help with the deck hardware and in keeping the boat running.” He joined the team just after Louis Vuitton Act 12 for the first day of the two boat testing program, which kicked off on Tuesday 4 July.

Craig has a classical Kiwi background. He grew up in a small town on the Whangaparaoa peninsula, near Auckland, lived close to the water and sailed because his whole family did. “You either went sailing or played rugby league in my family and sailing was more enjoyable. I saw it as a way to do a bit of a tour around the world as well.”

He has known Simon Daubney, Alinghi trimmer, since he was 18 and Matt Mitchell, Alinghi mid bowman, since he was two, so he should be right at home in the team: “I hope I can contribute as much as I can, wherever is required. These teams are so big and you are only one person, so as such a small cog in a huge wheel, you have to contribute as best as you can.”

Daubney comments on how the hiring came about: “The brief was that we wanted a good all-rounder, someone that can contribute in several areas. I have never sailed with Craig, but I have sailed against him a lot and have spoken to a lot of people who have sailed with him and we recognised him as a good solid guy.”

Sailing career highlights

• 2006: Alinghi, America’s Cup Defender, runner/pit
• 2005/6: The Black Pearl, Pirates of the Caribbean, Volvo Ocean Race, 2nd
• 2004: Volvo Baltic Race, 2nd
• 2003: Volvo Baltic Race, 1st
• 2003: Team New Zealand, America’s Cup Defender, boat captain
• 2003: Maxi World Champion
• 1999: Maxi One Design, 2nd
• 1999: Fastnet monohull record holder
• 1997/98: Swedish Match, Whitbread Round the World, 3rd
• 6 National Championships

The two boat testing program is well underway out of the Alinghi base in the Port America’s Cup and will continue until the August holiday period.