Quantum Racing TP52 crew announced

Heavy guns join Ed Baird's new Audi MedCup line-up

Five, top-level sailors have been added to Quantum Racing’s 2011 team roster, with several crew members returning for another season. In addition to Ed Baird as helmsman, Quantum Racing also welcomes Matt Cassidy to mid-bow, Ben Durham as runner, Grant (Louie) Loretz as
trimmer, and Joe Spooner as grinder.

Ed Baird has racing experience in nearly every type of boat including the TP52. Baird was the winning helmsman of the 32nd America’s Cup aboard Alinghi, the 2007 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year, and part of the 1995 America’s Cup winning team, Team New Zealand. Baird has raced in the Whitbread Round the World Race, won the Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award, is a three-time Match Racing World Champion and the only American ever to reach #1 on the ISAF World Match Racing Rankings. He also has extensive Grand Prix and Olympic racing experience and numerous World, International, and North American one-design championships to his credit.

Matt Cassidy comes from a successful campaign in the RC44 class with Team Aqua. His background also includes achievements in the Farr40 and Farr30 classes and the Areva/K-Challenge America’s Cup team.

Ben Durham has been part of the America’s Cup since 2000, when he sailed alongside James Spithill with Young Australia, followed by OneWorld then Luna Rossa Challenge. He continued sailing with Luna Rossa on the STP 65, the Louis Vuitton Trophy, and in the 2010 Audi MedCup.

Grant Loretz has been a key member of Emirates Team New Zealand since 1987 in both the Audi MedCup and America’s Cup. He also holds five world championships and many top finishes in multiple fleets including Farr 40, Melges 32, 1D48, Maxi worlds and IMS regattas.

Joe Spooner began his career in the Finn, competing in the 1996 Olympic Games for New Zealand. He has a history of winning, from the 2010 America’s Cup with Oracle Racing to numerous events onboard the supermaxi Alfa Romeo. Spooner also has Audi MedCup experience with Artemis in 2007 and 2008.

Returning crew members include:

Greg Gendell, Bow - Gendell has been with Quantum Racing since the start in 2008. He has four additional World Championships to his credit, as well as two America’s Cup campaigns with Stars & Stripes and Abracadabra, and the Whitbred Round The World Race aboard Chessie Racing.

Tom Burnham, Pit - Burnham raced in the last three America’s Cups, with Young America, Prada, and Luna Rossa. He joined Quantum Racing in 2008 and won the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Nice with Team Azzura.