Oracle Team USA has confirmed that Jimmy Spithill will return to the team for the 35th America’s Cup. Spithill has had discussions with other teams, and said, “There were some very good offers out there, but at the end of the day, Russell and Larry, I wouldn’t be here without them…”
“This team is very competitive. The top guys are always surrounding themselves with very good people. There is no micromanaging on this team by Larry or Russell. They almost give you the burden of trust and that allows people to grow and learn and ultimately become better at what they do.”
Spithill sees the America’s Cup as the ultimate team challenge, a measuring stick for the individual in a team environment.
“It’s so difficult to pull it off. But when you go through it all and you do it as a team and you do pull it off, it’s just so rewarding,” he says. “As a person, you learn a lot about yourself through these campaigns. I enjoy that it’s a team environment, where you’re working towards a goal but learning about yourself and trying to get better each day. This is one of the ultimate tests, athletically, mentally and in team management, that you can find. It’s very addictive!”
As he looks ahead to the 35th America’s Cup, Spithill says he thinks ORACLE TEAM USA will once again be pushed to the limit as the American team attempts to win the Cup for the third consecutive time, saying, “It’s going to be one hell of a battle, one hell of a fight,” he says. “I just can’t wait to get back out on the water and get racing. The prospect of going head to head with a few of these teams and the personalities involved… It’s hard to wait to be honest. I’m looking forward to training and to racing in the AC World Series again.”
Australian by birth and now living in his adopted city of San Diego, Spithill has helmed for Italian and American teams and does not think nationality rules should be instated, saying, “I think people should be on the boats based on talent, not the color of their passport.”
As a 20 year old Spithill was skipper of the Young Australia team in the 1999/2000 Louis Vuitton Cup. After YoungAustralia was eliminated he was hired by the America One challenge to help them prepare for their Louis Vuitton Cup final against Luna Rossa. He has twice been hired by teams he beat in Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals: In 2003, as helmsman of OneWorld he defeated Luna Rossa’s Francesco De Angelis who then recruited him to Luna Rossa for their 2007 campaign. At the helm of Luna Rossa in 2007, he knocked Oracle Racing out 5-1. Oracle Racing then hired him as helmsman of their giant trimaran for the 2010 Deed of Gift match against defender Alinghi.
Original article on team website.