“Unbelievable How Friendly, Helpful Everyone Is”
“It’s been unbelievable how friendly and helpful everyone is, we’re surrounded by crystal-clear waters, we have beautiful weather and we are very fortunate this will be our home for the next two years,” Oracle Team USA tactician/helmsman and sailing team manager Tom Slingsby said.
“Pretty much all of the guys on the sailing team are here now,” Mr Slingsby said. “At the moment we’re helping the shore crew to get things set up, unloading containers, getting our offices set up and next week we’ll start putting the boats together. We’re still targeting May 1 for the first sail in the AC45S.
“We also have some sailing team meetings scheduled to plan our sessions next month. We’re hitting the gym – and the beach – in the mornings and we might get the Foiling Phantoms [18-foot, foiling catamarans] out next week to get out on the water here for a little sail before the AC45S is ready.”
Slideshow of photos, by Patrick Singleton, showing Team Oracle training on the beach recently:
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Mr. Slingsby says it’s good to have the crew working together again even if one face is noticeably absent from some of the heavy work.
“Jimmy’s rehab has happened to come at quite the perfect time,” Mr. Slingsby said. “He tells us he can’t move his arm just as we’ve been put to work packing up San Francisco and setting up in Bermuda. It’s funny how he arranged that schedule!”
The team is still adjusting to the new America’s Cup Class rule voted in by the teams recently. But Slingsby says that while there are implications for the design process, the impact on the sailing team is minimal.
“It doesn’t change too much for the crew,” he says. “We’re very happy with the guys we have.
“Our sailors are very dynamic and everyone can step into different roles on board, so the new America’s Cup Class won’t make us adjust too much as a sailing team. The way we sail the boat will be different, but in terms of the people we have, we’re confident in our sailors.”
And he says the transition to Bermuda has been an easy one for the team to make as well.
“It’s been unbelievable how friendly and helpful everyone is. We’re surrounded by crystal-clear waters, we have beautiful weather. We wake up, we go to the gym, we run on the beach, we go swimming, we head to the base and get to work. It’s amazing.
“We’re very happy to be here and very fortunate this will be our home for the next two years,” added Mr Slingsby.
So much for being labelled xenophobic.
Is there a point to that comment?
Is there ever any point to his comments, other than to troll?
Cause they’re not hanging around people like you .
Whatever that means
Xenophobic
See Kunta…you’re not in the majority. Get with the program.
Come on Ben Ainslie!!
It’s a strange one. As a Brit, I’d love to see Sir Ben take the cup home, but as a long-term resident in Bermuda, it needs Oracle to win so it can be defended here again next time.
Welcome to Bda though Team Oracle.
Yes, welcome to Bermuda, Oracle Team USA. I look forward to seeing the Oracle Team living and working in and amongst our Community over the next 2 years. Bermuda is a wonderfully special place, as i think they have already realised.
Yes Oracle Team Welcome!!!!! Welcome to our home Bermuda!!! May you have a Wonderful and Blessed stay!!
Nice to see you are grateful for our gift of a 77 million dollar party for you…
Then we better just roll down the shutters, turn off the lights and stay out of the light. Also don’t let the door hit you on the way out of the empty room.
Your snarky negative comments will NOT jeopardise this great event that bodes well for all Bermuda.
There are too many positive, energetic people here who’s hard work will overcome your anchor dragging behaviour.
Go get a hug from someone and try to be positive too:0)
There are many folks on this little island who want this AC to fail badly because … well basically it wasn’t their idea and their political party won’t get credit for it.
What’s good for Bermudians? They don’t care about that.
It’s really charming but there you are.
They are confused by money spent openly with specific goals to benefit Bermuda. They don’t understand. After all, their party never did anything like that.
*Nice to see you are grateful for our gift of a 77 million dollar party for you…*
And they’re not exposed to people like you either .
As long as we keep ‘em away from ya’ll they’ll love this place.
We welcome all of the teams to Bermuda. So pleased to have you all visit with us!!!
It’s a sad day when you can’t be happy for Bermuda because your party didn’t bring the AC tot Bermuda.
Just be happy.
Just ignore the negativity. You will feel better. I do.
Welcome to my island all teams of AC35. Enjoy!
Welcome to Bermuda Team Oracle, we all look forward to seeing and watching you in the Great Sound this year and the next and the next in your flying machine !! Welcome , welcome , welcome , so glad your here!