Kiwis retain wing trimmer for 35th America’s Cup
Image: Gilles Martin-Raget
Wing trimmer Glenn Ashby announced his intention to stay with Team New Zealand for the 35th America’s Cup. Ashby was one of two Australian’s on board Team New Zealand’s AC72 in San Francisco. Speaking at the ISAF World Cup Melbourne, Ashby said that he was approached by Iain Murray, the new CEO of Team Australia, but only after he had re-committed to TNZ.
Image: catsailingnews.com
A multihull specialist, Ashby has won 14 world championships in three classes, including seven in the A Class catamaran. He was the head coach for Oracle Racing’s successful 2010 challenge for the America’s Cup in the 90 foot trimaran with the 226 foot wing. When Team New Zealand guaranteed him a place on the boat for the 2013 America’s Cup, he made the move from Oracle to Team New Zealand. He was also deeply involved with the design process for Team New Zealand’s AC72.
With Team Australia as the challenger of record for the 35th America’s Cup, it was natural to assume that they would be talking to Ashby and his Australian teammate Adam Beashel, as well as the Australians on board Oracle Team USA: helmsman Jimmy Spithill, strategist Tom Slingsby and wing trimmer Kyle Langford. To date, Slingsby has announced his intention to stay with Oracle, and now Ashby is staying with Team New Zealand. No word yet on the other Aussies’ intentions.