Team Caribbean: Sailing Team

USVI

Sailing Team

Training Boat

Getting the jump on most America's Cup Challengers around the world, Team Caribbean became one of the first to purchase a training boat, the former Stars & Stripes '92, a 75-foot International America's Cup Class (IACC) Yacht originally built for Team Dennis Conner's 1992 America's Cup campaign.

Designed by East Coast naval architect David Pedrick and built by Eric Goetz Customs Boats of Bristol, Rhode Island, the dark blue-hulled trial horse with the 110- foot mast carried Conner to the finals of the 1992 Defender Series in San Diego, California. She requires a working crew of 16.

Purchased in November 1996, the former Stars & Stripes was transported cross-country to Florida via a three-tractor-trailer convoy with police escort, then loaded by crane aboard United Yacht Transport's Super Servant IV for the offshore passage to her current berth at St. Thomas' Crown Bay Marina, provided courtesy of Devcon International. The purchase was jointly funded by Virgin Islands businessman Corneilius ‘Neil' Prior, his wife Trudie, and a local philanthropist who wishes to remain anonymous.

International America's Cup Class (IACC) Yacht
Crew Positions & Functions

The FOREDECK (1) person works in close quarters with the bowman and is often found below decks packing sails (such as the spinnaker), in readiness for use on command.

The MASTMAN (1) works between the pit man and bowman, handles spinnaker pole maneuvers and assists with sail changes.

The role of PIT MEN (2) (designated as PIT #1 and PIT #2) is to secure and release the all-important lines and halyards controlling the sails and mast. A PIT MAN takes direction from the afterguard and coordinates his actions with the foredeck crew and grinders.

Besides being the manual power to turn the ‘coffee grinders' (winches which are used to trim the sails), GRINDERS (3), have a number of roles. Designated as GRINDER #1, GRINDER #2 and GRINDER #3 (Main, Port & Starboard), these crew members may float to assist in tailing, sail changes, and spinnaker takedowns. A grinder must possess great physical strength and endurance.

The FLOATER (1) rotates into several positions as needed, assisting below decks (sewer), as pit man or grinder.

The NAVIGATOR (1) uses instrumentation and computers to provide accurate positioning of the yacht relative to the course and to the opposition.

The SKIPPER is responsible for all decisions onboard; when also serving as DRIVER (1) or HELMSMAN, concentrates on steering the yacht.

The TACTICIAN (1) advises the helmsman of options for attack and defense based on information from the navigator and the tactical play by the opposing yacht. The TACTICIAN sometimes drives during pre-start maneuvers and must be able to make split-second decisions under high pressure.

The STRATEGIST (1) is a key member of the ‘afterguard' (the brain trust that usually stands at the back of the boat).

The BOWMAN (1) is perhaps the most agile athlete of all. A member of the foredeck crew, the bowman sets up the equipment in the fore section for headsail and spinnaker maneuvers and goes up the mast when needed.

The MAIN TRIMMER (1) is one of the most important crew on the boat. He trims the huge mainsail and is most directly in control of the speed and pointing of the boat (position to the wind). As the throttle person, the MAIN TRIMMER is tasked with maintaining maximum boat speed.

TRIMMERS (2) are crewmen who trim the headsails and spinnakers. TRIMMER #1 and TRIMMER #2 are assigned either to port and starboard positions or designated as ‘primary' and ‘secondary' trimmer. TRIMMERS must synchronize their actions with the main trimmer and driver.