One AC truism oft repeated is, "You're only as good as your 'B' boat." Without a good second boat, and top crew to race it, your testing program is suspect and your training (especially practice starting) is compromised. And without two boats worth of excellent sailors, you lack the necessary depth of talent to succeed in these long, hard campaigns.

These days there is another given: "A team is only as happy as their families." In other words, family matters!

As the Cup has matured into a global, full-time business with larger and, on average, older teams, the care and comfort of our families, and having their full, enthusiastic support of the campaign, is more important than ever.

Senior management recognized this early on. Business Director Russell Green focused our attention on this important issue, and with the strong support of CEO Chris Dickson significant resource was allocated to family matters. A Family Committee of spouses was established to set strategy and help develop policies and activities in support of our families. Admin staff member Sofia Barraclough (GBR/ESP) was tasked by Russell and Base Manager Grant Davidson to work closely with the Committee and to provide follow-up.

It's working well, and like every other aspect of our campaign they, too, try to lift their game with each passing week. We greatly appreciate and value the work of the Family Committee, to say nothing of the support we receive day in and day out from our spouses and kids.


Families cheering the sailing team and USA 87 as they dockout on Saturday
for races 3 and 4 of Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 11.


The Family Committee meeting at our Base this afternoon. Clockwise
from lower left: Kelley Braun, Leslie Ehman, Sofia Barraclough, Sue
Dickson, Danelle Sofuku (Chairwoman) and Anna Salek. Missing in action
(with newborn son Jack): Bridget Baker.


Family champion: Cup veteran Russell
Green (Business Director, NZL).