OneWorld Challenge Team trains
with new USA 65

By Susan Kruller
March-April, 2002

Second OneWorld Challenge Hull Bound for New Zealand

Seattle Yacht Club’s America’s Cup syndicate, OneWorld Challenge, has completed construction of its second International America’s Cup Class yacht in the Pacific Northwest.

Hull USA 67, is the second of two that were constructed for the teams challenge for 2003 America’s Cup. USA 65 was shipped earlier in January. The yachts will begin racing and testing in early spring to prepare for the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series in October 2002.

On March 4, OneWorld Challenge christened and launched its’ first International America’s Cup Class (IACC) boat, USA 65. It was christened at the OneWorld base along the Viaduct Harbor, in Auckland, New Zealand, before the OneWorld Team and their families.

Although the hull and appendages were cloaked from view, portions of the organic two-toned blue hull were in view. Leading America’s Cup designers Laurie Davidson, Bruce Nelson, and Phil Kaiko, along with their 29-member team, designed USA 65. Led by America’s Cup veteran Peter Sowman, the OneWorld boat building team built USA 65 in Sedro Wooly, Washington. Hull graphics designed by an award winning Seattle-based graphic design firm.

“Today is an important day for the OneWorld Challenge. The christening of USA 65 is a great opportunity for us to reflect on the last two years that we’ve worked together. USA 65 holds great promise, and is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our entire team,” said OneWorld Challenge CEO Gary Wright.

The SYC's OneWorld Challenge for the 31st America's Cup is well underway in preparation for the Cup challenger series which begins just over six months from now. In an early trial regatta, The OneWorld team enjoyed the first match racing victory any team has experienced over Team New Zealand since 1995.

OneWorld Challenge has as its mission of winning the oldest trophy in sports in the name of the health of our planet -specifically its oceans. In the coming weeks and months OneWorld Challenge will roll out a broad, multi-media program of education on the important issues that face a planet in peril. "What better opportunity exists to capture the world's attention during this wonderful global event, and focus some portion of the energy on such a vital issue, the health of the world's oceans which cover two-thirds of our one world”" Said Gary Wright, OneWorld Challenge CEO.

The OWC sailing team includes10 Olympic medallists, three Whitbread Around-the-World race champions, and more than 60 world titles in various classes, as well as members with two America’s Cup titles. This month we feature short profiles of the sailing team leader, along with four Seattle team members, and more. . . .

Peter Gilmour ­ Sailing Manager/Helmsman

Gilmour has been involved in five America’s Cup Campaigns. He won the 2001 Australia Cup for a record fifth time, turning in the most dominant performance by any skipper in the eighteen-year history of the event. He started sailing at the age of seven on Perth Swan River, in Australia and contested his first world championship at the age of sixteen. Gilmour has sailed in everything from dinghies to offshore yachts, having competed in both the Sydney to Hobart and Fastnet races, but is renowned for distinguishing himself in match racing and America’s Cup competitions.

• 2000 ­ Skipper, Nippon Challenge
• 1995 ­ Coach, Nippon Challenge
• 1992 ­ Starting Helmsman, Spirit of Australia
• 1987 ­ Starting Helmsman, Kookabura III ­ America’s Cup Defender
• 1997-2001 ­ Participated in over 100 Grade 1 Match Racing events, taking the gold in more than 30 regattas.
• 1990, 1997, 1998 - Winner, ISAF World Match Racing Championship
• Etchells 22 World Champion
• 12-Meter Class World Champion

Mark Newbrook ­ Mast/Grinder

A force to be reckoned with in one-design circuits, Newbrook competes at top-level events in the 49er Class, International 14’s, Melges 24s, and J-24

• 1997 ­ U.S. Sailing Team ­ 49er Class
• 1996 - 2nd Place Key West ­ Melges 24
• 1994 - 2nd Place J-24 Nationals
• 2000 - International 14 Worlds, Devon, U.K.

Brian Ledbetter ­ Traveler

A respected and established Finn Class Sailor, Ledbetter is an Olympic silver medallist. In late January, Brian was a close second to current World champion in a friendly All-Star Finn Class competition, held in rough conditions, featuring both America's Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race team members.

• 1992 ­ Olympic Games, Barcelona, Spain ­ Silver Medal, Finn
• 1998 - Olympic Games, Seoul, Korea ­ 10th Place, Finn
• 1990 - Goodwill Games ­ Gold Medal, Finn
• 1990 ­ Sailor of the Year
• Seven-time US Finn National Champion, Two-time North American Champion
• Three-time Collegiate All-American
• U.S. Naval Academy Graduate

The McKee brothers have impressive one-design racing career, making their mark in top-ranked competition both individually, and as a team. Most recently, as the world looked on, the McKees medalled in the 49er-Class during the Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

Charlie McKee ­ Tactician

• 2001 - Winner - 49er Class World Championships- Italy
• 2000 ­ Olympic Games, Sydney, Australia ­ Bronze Medal, 49er Class
• 1999 ­ Olympic Sailing Committee Athlete of the Year
• 1988 ­ Olympic Games, Seoul, Korea ­ Bronze Medal ­ 470 Class
• Four-time Laser Class World Champion

Jonathan McKee ­ Trimmer

• 2001 ­ Winner - 49er Class World Championships - Italy
• 2000 ­ Olympic Games, Sydney, Australia ­ Bronze Medal ­ 49er Class
• 1998 ­ Pre-Olympic Regatta ­ 1st Place ­ 49er Class
• 1998 ­ 49er World Championships ­ 2nd Place
• 1996 - Laser Class World Championships
• 1985 ­ Olympic Games, Los Angeles ­ Gold Medal ­ Flying Dutchman Class
• 1983 ­ Flying Dutchman World Champion
• Three-time College All-American
• Numerous National and North American Championships

James Spithill - Helmsman

The youngest skipper to compete as helmsman in the America’s Cup, James made history at age 19. He was on the Young Australia team in the 2000 America’s Cup - considered an underdog until they won 90 percent of their starts with outdated boats and equipment. James has been sailing since the age of 5

• 2000 - Ranked in the top ten of the ISAF World Match Racing Rankings
• World Youth Match Racing Championship, Two ­ time winner, Coke Cup
• Two ­ time winner, Harken International Youth Match Racing Championships
• 2000 - America’s Cup, Young Australia
• 2000 - Colorcraft Gold Cup, 4th Place
• 2000 - Spanish Open Grade 1, 2nd Place
• 2000 - Knickerbocker Cup
• 2000 - 7th World Match Racing
• 1998 - Kenwood Cup, 1st Place
• 1998 - Sydney Hobart Race, 3rd Place
• 1997 - NSW Youth Yachtsmen of the Year
• 2000 - Centro Cup Italy, 1st Place
• 2000 - Nippon Cup, 2nd

Morgan Larson

Morgan has been sailing for 24 years.He brings both small boat sailing and America’s Cup experience to the OneWorld Challenge. In 2000, he was navigator aboard the Louis Vuitton Cup finalist, AmericaOne. The same year Morgan skippered a 40er Class Olympic Campaign with fellow OneWorld team member Kevin Hall.

• 2001 - New Zealand Nationals, 2nd Place, Etchells
• 2000 - America’s Cup, AmericaOne
• 2000 - Australian Match Racing Championships, 1st Place
• 2000 - Pacific Cup, 1st Place - Pagesus
• 1997 - Admiral’s Cup, USA Team, 1st Place
• 1998 - US Sailing's “Team of the Year,” together with Kevin Hall
• 1997, 98, 99 - 49er World Championships
• 1998 - US Junior National Champion

Kelvin Harrap - Tactician

Brining America’s Cup experience from America True, two Whitbread Round the World Races, World Championships and Olympic competition, Kelvin fits right in with the talented sailing team at OneWorld Challenge.

• 2000 - America’s Cup, America True
• 2000 - York Cup, 1st Place
• 1999 - World Champion - Mumm 36
• 1999 - Admirals Cup, 2nd Place
• 1999 - Sydney 40 World Championship, 2nd Place
• 1998 - Whitbread Round the World Race, Toshiba
• 1996 - Olympic Games, Atlanta - Soling Class
• 1996 - North Americans Championships - Soling Class
• 1995 - America’s Cup, Team New Zealand, Tag Heuer
• 1993 - Whitbread Round the World Race, Tokio