Crew rotation in Palma for INEOS TEAM UK
Racing resumes next week for INEOS TEAM UK as the team head to Palma for the third event of the 2018 GC32 Racing Tour (Tuesday 31st July – Saturday 4th August).
The Palma event is held during the Mediterranean’s most prestigious multi-class regatta, the 37th Copa del Rey. It will be the second outing on the Tour for the British team following their podium performance at the GC32 Lagos Cup.
The team will follow their pre-planned strategy of crew rotation for the GC32 Racing Tour with three changes to the line-up in Spain. Britain’s Leigh MacMillan comes onboard as helmsman, with two-time America’s Cup winner, Joey Newton (AUS/GBR) making his debut for the team as jib trimmer. The final change will see Australian Luke Parkinson trimming the mainsail. The 2016 Finn Olympic gold medallist, Giles Scott (GBR) resumes the role of tactician and 2017 Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Champion, Neil Hunter (GBR) completes the line-up as float.
© HARRY KH
Sailing Team Manager, Jono Macbeth commented; “We head to Palma with three changes from the last event. This follows our plan to utilise the Tour as an opportunity to blood new talent and rotate through our sailing team, helping us get race fit and honing our skills in a high-performance racing environment.
“The first event in Lagos was a big learning curve for the team, we blew away a lot of cobwebs and managed to finish on the podium which was a real positive. We have been impressed by the standard of competition across the fleet, it’s exactly why we signed up, and we are looking forward to getting out there and testing our mettle again.”
© HARRY KH
Organised by the Real Club Nautico de Palma, the racing is held on the Bay of Palma with the seven experienced international teams looking forward to racing in a venue renowned for its consistent sea breeze.
2018 GC32 Racing Tour Standings
1. NORAUTO (FRA) 2 pts
2. Realteam (SUI) 6 pts
3. Zoulou (FRA) 7 pts
4. Argo (USA) 9 pts
5. Frank Racing (NZL) 9 pts
6. INEOS TEAM UK (GBR) 12 pts
7. film Racing (AUS) 13 pts
8. Código Rojo Racing (ARG) 17 pts
INEOS TEAM UK GC32 Race Squad for Palma:
Leigh McMillan – Helmsman
Luke Parkinson, Mainsail
Joey Newton, Jib Trim
Giles Scott, Bow / Tactics
Neil Hunter, Float
Support team:
Jono Macbeth, Sailing Team Manager
Rob Wilson, Coach
Matty Adams, Boat Builder
Aston Campion, Shore Support
Ben Williams, Head of Human Performance
2018 GC32 Racing Tour remaining events:
37th Copa Del Rey MAPFRE, 31 July – 4 August - Palma de Mallorca, Spain
GC32 Villasimius Cup, 12 – 16 September - Villasímius, Sardinia, Italy
GC32 TPM Med Cup, 10 –14 October - Toulon, France