Press Release, Friday 30th January, 2009

Auckland, NZ  - Greek Challenge presented on Friday morning its crew line up for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Without losing its Greek identity, the team crew has a strong kiwi flavor, with a total of 8 New Zealanders out of the 21 sailors that will be racing off Auckland’s harbor for the next 2 weeks. Twelve Greeks will be defending their home colors and the 21-man roster in Auckland is completed with 1 South African. 

Gavin Brady, 5-times America’s Cup helmsman, will drive the boat in the team’s maiden participation in a world-level regatta, against the world’s top America’s Cup teams. In fact, the first ever Greek team for the America’s Cup will have to face none other than Alinghi, current defender and 2-time winner, in its first race.

The Louis Vuitton Pacific Series is the first step in a long-term effort to develop young sailors from Greece and create a stable platform that will lead to a competitive America’s Cup team.

 

Greek Challenge Crew List 

Bowman: Kevin BATTEN, NZL

Mid Bowman: Michail PATENIOTIS, GRE, Pavlos KAGIALIS, GRE (Reserve)

Mastman: Dimitrios BENAKIS, GRE

Pitman: Jeremy SCANTLEBURY, NZL

Pit Assistant: Anestis KARAYIANNIDIS, GRE

Port Grinder: Angelos BOUBOURAS, GRE

Starboard Grinder: Konstantinos CHANIOTIS, GRE

Upwind Trimmer: Carsten SCHON, NZL

Downwind Trimmer: Athanasios PACHOUMAS, GRE, Zachary HURST, NZL (Reserve)

Mid Grinder: Stu CLARKE, NZL

Mainsail Trimmer: Rodney KEENAN, NZL

Traveller: Dan SLATER, NZL,  Panagiotis MANTIS, GRE (Reserve)

Helmsman: Gavin BRADY, NZL

Floater: Antonis BOUGIOURIS, GRE

Navigator: Marc LAGESSE, RSA

Aft Grinder/Skipper: Sotiris BUSEAS, GRE

Runner: Alexandros TAGAROPOULOS, GRE, Theodoros TSOULFAS, GRE (Reserve)

Greek Challenge Crew Portaits