ABN Amro Gearing Up for 27th Heineken St Maarten Regatta
@ Wed Feb 28 09:39:00 +0000 2007
ABN AMRO ONE, winner of the 2005–6 Volvo Ocean Race is this week preparing for the infamous Heineken St Maarten Regatta. One of the most spectacular events on the Caribbean circuit, St Maarten welcomes an international crowd to its waters for the four day regatta beginning on Thursday 1st March. ABN AMRO ONE, skippered by Kiwi Mike Sanderson, will also race in the inaugural Commodores Cup, and given the right weather conditions, will also attempt the Round the Island monohull record.
Mike Sanderson, who skippered the boat to victory in the Volvo Ocean Race, is joined onboard by a combination of sailors from the whole ABN AMRO team. This includes ABN AMRO ONE crew Brad Jackson (NZ), Justin Slattery (IRE) and Frenchman Sidney Gavignet, as well as ABN AMRO TWO bowman Simeon Tienpont (NL) and renowned navigator Mike Quilter (NZ). The crew will also be joined by Mike’s wife, solo round the world yachtswoman, Emma Sanderson (née Richards), as well as TEAM ABN AMRO shore crew members and guests.
With ABN AMRO ONE docked in prime position outside the St Maarten Yacht Club, hundreds of spectators and passers-by have been admiring the race-winning machine. Given the right weather conditions during the regatta, ABN AMRO ONE may contest the Round the Island monohull record held by ‘Brunel Synergy’ for the past six years.
Skipper Mike Sanderson commented: “It’s fantastic to bring ABN AMRO ONE to the Caribbean. Hopefully we’ll get some good breeze and really be able to show what the boat can do. We are really looking forward to getting out there and enjoying some good racing in the warm waters of St Maarten.”
ABN AMRO ONE crew list:
Mike Sanderson, (NZL) Skipper ABN AMRO ONE
Brad Jackson, (NZL) ABN AMRO ONE
Justin Slattery (IRE) ABN AMRO ONE
Simeon Tienpont (NED) ABN AMRO TWO
Sidney Gavignet (FRA) ABN AMRO ONE
Mike Quilter (NZL) TEAM ABN AMRO
Neil Cox (AUS) shore crew TEAM ABN AMRO
Phil Harmer (AUS)
Jared Henderson (NZL)
John Kostecki (USA)
Chris Nicholson (AUS)
Emma Sanderson (GBR)
Francis Tregaskis (GBR)
