Rejected sailor joins Russell Coutts’ crew

Press, 5 September 1989, Page 56

Rejected sailor joins Russell Coutts’ crew

PA Wellington A rejected round-the-world sailor,- Erie Williams, will be helping a New Zealand Olympian, Russell Coutts, in the world match-racing series off Lymington, England, this week.

Coutts has confirmed that Williams joined his crew for the series, in which fellow New Zealander Chris Dickson will defend his title. “Match racing requires tight crew work and we

have been working hard to lift our performance,” said Coutts, tactitian on the top one-tonner at the recent Admirals Cup — the Australian boat Joint Venture. Williams can work any part of the boat, but Coutts has placed him in a “keyboards” role, running

operations from the middle of the boat. “I reckon we’ve got a lineup that will give the

best a run for their money,” said Coutts, who

is currently ranked No. 6 in the world. Another sailing for New Zealand is a former American, Rod Davis, who is ranked at No. 3, while Australian Peter Gilmour is ranked No. 2.

Dickson has been working in Japan since sailing in the Admiral’s Cup. He will be endeavouring to stave off other contenders including Eddie Ward-Owen, from Great Britain, and Peter

Isler, from the United States, with Bertrand Pace (France), Ollie Johannson (Sweden), Gary Jobson <• (United States), and Greg Tawaststjerna (Canada) making up the balance of the field. Coutts proved in the national championships

that hard work and tenacity can be a winning combination, then went on to come second in France

and win the Liberty Cup competition in New York.

With fellow crew members, bowman David Brooke, trimmer Nick Willetts and tactitian Murray Jones — who flew in from the United States to join the crew — Coutts plans to train up to the

eve of the event. Practice days have been set down for today and tomorrow with two days of round-robin racing to follow. The four top scorers will go forward to the semi-finals.

The final is expected to be sailed on Sunday, September 10. The world championship will this year be sailed for the first time in brand new 35ft class, Benetau design yachts which have a generous sail area and high top speed.

Sailing will take place in either Christchurch Bay or in the Solent, depending on the weather.