And then there were three...

RYA Team GBR announce third Rolex Commodores' Cup entry

RYA Team GBR Black will conclude Britain’s line-up for the 2010 Rolex Commodores’ Cup. RYA Team GBR is entering three teams in the event, with each team comprising one boat in three specified IRC class Rating bands, naming them, Team GBR Red, White and Black.

Announced in June, GBR Red and White will be at the forefront of Britain’s silverware charge, and as defending champions the Brits will be fired up and intent on keeping hold of GBR Red’s 2008 title.

New edition to the British contingent, RYA Team GBR Black, will comprise of Cracklin' Rosie (Corby 40), Artemis (Grand Soleil 43) and Encore (Beneteau First 40.7) and with the majority of the team making their debut at the event, the collective are focusing on sailing as well as they can, gathering as much experience as possible, and achieving the best result they can during the seven-day challenge.

“We’re all first timers on Cracklin Rosie and getting into the competition for the first time is a great opportunity to look at the standard and think about what’s needed to come back for a second crack at it,” said Cracklin Rosie’s owner and Team Black Captain Brian Wilkinson. “Our goal as a team will be to sail our boats to the best of our abilities and enjoy the event with our crew."

Paul Turner, owner of Artemis added: “The pressure will be on GBR Red and White and not so much on us so we hope that will help us to do as well as we possibly can and that maybe better than we think.”

“The team is shaping up well and at the moment we’re working on trying to get the boats going as quickly as we can,” he concluded.

Team Black have come together late in the season however, Artemis and Cracklin Rosie have already been out for an intensive practice session in the Solent and have plans for more training sessions in the couple of weeks when Encore will endeavor to join them as a whole team.

Cracklin Rosie has a strong crew most of which have sailed together since 2007 when the custom-built racer was bought and they have come through a steep learning curve to master the boats demanding set-up. Artemis, having campaigned for their Cup place all season, also have a well knitted team.

Encore’s crew has sailed together for around two years and has competed in both the Spring and Winter Series in Hamble this year as well as the IRC Nationals and various offshore races. The majority of that crew will be competing at the Cup rounding off a promising mix in GBR Black for the unique event.

“We entered the trials thinking we had a very outside chance of being selected. We’re really looking forward to the event and it’s going to be a fantastic experience,” said Encore owner Steven Anderson.

RYA Racing Committee Chairman and Head of Selectors Roger Wilson commented: “We had a challenging group of entries this year to form GBR’s teams from especially in the Class one category so we’re really pleased to have been able to put Team Black together.

“The team are there to experience and to learn as much as they can with a view to come back in two years time. They’ll get a good feel for the event and learn what is required to win and we hope to see them in contention for medals next time round.

“In the UK we have some great yacht racing programs, some run directly by the RYA and others by various clubs and organisations, bringing on a lot of young sailors giving them experience and getting them going. It’s great to see a team in the Commodores’ Cup building on these skills and looking towards the future."

The biennial Rolex Commodores’ Cup will take place from Saturday 15 August to Saturday 21 August 2010.

2010 RYA Team GBR entries

GBR Red
White Heat (King 40, Class One)
Quokka 8 (Grand Soleil 43, Class Two)
Premier Flair (Ellan 410, Class Three).

GBR White
Alice II (Farr 45, Class One),
La Reponse (Beneteau First 40, Class Two)
No Chance (Beneteau First 35, Class Three)

GBR Black
Cracklin Rosie (Corby 40, Class One)
Artemis (Grand Soleil 43, Class Two)
Encore (Beneteau First 40.7, Class Three)