Few New Zealanders have packed as much into their lives as Penny Whiting. Best known as a yachtswoman and the owner-operator of the Penny Whiting Sailing School, she has also been a swimming champion, international surfing competitor, rugby coach, writer, celebrity speaker, mother of two, (and grandmother of two), America's Cup and Whitbread commentator, and Auckland city councillor.

An NZL Sailing icon, Penny also happens to be the mother of Carl "Tiny" Williams (NZL, sailing team). She's in Valencia this week and next for Tiny's birthday, and "to be sure all the Kiwis here in Valencia, regardless of team, are behaving themselves."

"I'm enjoying the entire scene enormously," she said before going out yesterday as 18th man on USA 76. "It's a terrific set-up here, and I look forward to being back for the grand finale next year."


Russell Green (NZL, business director) catching up with Penny
yesterday, and giving her a visual tour of the Port America's Cup
from the deck of our Team Base.


Looking across to the ETNZ base she said, "I had no idea there
are more Kiwis on BMW ORACLE than Team New Zealand."


Stu Clarke and Joe Spooner (both NZL, sailing team) spotted Penny
and came out to say hi and give her a welcoming hug.


Paul Wallbank (NZL, team trainer) had of course heard of Penny but
never met her. Penny is revising her popular layman's book on the
America's Cup for AC 32 here in Valencia.


Penny had heard from Tiny about the tough boxing workouts Paul is
putting the sailing team through (and some of the admin team as well),
which led to a friendly comparison of technique.


Then it was time for Max "Hello" Hoellerl (AUT, marketing department) to
get Penny suited up for her sail on 76.


Penny at the wheel of USA 76 during a break in yesterday's two-boating
with USA 87. Son Carl "Tiny" Williams proudly looks on.