Thursday 13 May 2010

Audi MedCup: TEAMORIGIN 1851 Named on Practice Day off Cascais




Action on board TEAMORIGIN's new TP52 TEAMORIGIN 1851. Image copyright Ian Roman.

by Leslie Greenhalgh

TEAMORIGIN, the British America’s Cup team hit a key milestone today, Tuesday 11th May 2010, with the official naming of their first new race boat, a TP52 class boat, which they named ‘TEAMORIGIN 1851’ (1851 being the year of the inaugural race around the Isle of Wight which subsequently became the ‘America’s Cup’).


TEAMORIGIN 1851. Image copyright Ian Roman.

Based, for this first event in the Audi MedCup series, in the stunning venue of Cascais in Portugal, racing is scheduled to take place between 12th and 16th May. The teams head out today for some practise starts and the official practise race.

Sir Keith Mills, the Team Principal, and his wife Lady Maureen Mills had been in town to visit the team and were planning to name the new boat but due to flight problems over the ash cloud, they had to return to the UK on Sunday to fulfil a prior engagement in the UK on Monday evening.


TEAMORIGIN 1851. Image copyright Ian Roman.


TEAMORIGIN 1851. Image copyright Ian Roman.


TEAMORIGIN 1851. Image copyright Ian Roman.

The official naming ceremony was carried out by team members, Leslie Greenhalgh, Marketing Director and Charlotte Harmer, PA to Mike Sanderson Sailing Team Co-ordinator, naming the boat ‘TEAMORIGIN 1851’ with a few words of thanks from Marcus Hutchinson and Mike Sanderson, Team Director.

SAILING TEAM LINE-UP FOR THIS EVENT:
SAILING TEAM Role Nationality

Matt Cornwell Bowman GBR
Julian Cressant Mast FRA
Chris Brittle Grinder GBR
Christian Kamp Trimmer DEN
Andy Hemmings Trimmer GBR
Nick Bice Pit AUS
Warwick Fleury Main NZL
Andrew Simpson Strategist GBR
Iain Percy Tactician GBR
Juan Vila Navigator ESP
Ben Ainslie Skipper/Helm GBR
Mike Sanderson Team Director/Runners GBR

Video of skipper Ben Ainslie on the 'TEAMORIGIN 1851' TP52




TEAMORIGIN 1851. Image copyright Ian Roman.


TEAMORIGIN 1851. Image copyright Ian Roman.

11 TP52 teams area entered in this event:
Bow No 1 Emirates Team New Zealand NZL
Bow No 2 Quantum Racing USA
Bow No 3 Artemis SWE
Bow No 4 TEAMORIGIN 1851 GBR
Bow No 5 Cristabella GBR
Bow No 6 Bribon ESP
Bow No 7 Luna Rossa ITA
Bow No 8 Matador ESP
Bow No 9 Bigamist7 POR
Bow No 10 Synergy RUS
Bow No 11 Audi powered by ALL4ONE FRA/GER


TEAMORIGIN 1851 in the practice race off Cascais. Image copyright Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup.

Race schedule for the event:
Training days : Sun 9th and Mon 10th May
Practise Race : Tues 11th May
Racing : Wed 12th – Sun 16th May

TEAMORIGIN
Audi MedCup