Anyway we now have a bit of time off coming up and things are gradually winding down so we can all lead a more bit of a normal life for a while – maybe! For the last 3-4 weeks we have been completing our two boat testing programme between GBR 70 and 78, it seemed to make sense as we had all the team and set-up ready down here so that was very worthwhile and the testing programme is now complete. GBR 78 sailed for the last time in this campaign on Tuesday 17th December with Peter Harrison on board.

The big pack-up is a bit of a mountainous job but is fully underway now with GBR 52 already shrunk wrapped and in storage and GBR 70 off its keel and being prepared to travel. The boats and containers will leave NZ end of January/middle of February courtesy of P&O Nedlloyd and cover the 4 week trip back to our home in Cowes. Our own team members are starting to scatter now with quite a few doing the Sydney to Hobart, a few others off to Key West, some more flying back to UK for Christmas and some staying out here and off touring to explore this beautiful country of New Zealand. There will be a team of around 10-15 people staying here in Auckland working for GBR Challenge to the end of the event overseeing the pack-up, keeping a close eye on racing, entertaining guests on the hospitality boat and continuing to learn and live the experience of the Louis Vuitton Finals and America’s Cup Match.

Peter Harrison and the GBR Challenge team have been using this time to review, gain feedback from the whole team, and learn from our huge experiences. The team achieved such a great deal in such a short time period and the key to continuity is to make sure that we can move forward again. The key to the challenge progressing will be for us to find sponsors and additional financial support the next time around to support Peter Harrison in his quest to bring the Cup back to Great Britain. Anyone interested in discussing this matter should e-mail leslieryan@gbrchallenge.com

Life along ‘Syndicate Row’ changes daily with now only 3 challengers left in and the biggest shock a few days back with Prada being eliminated. Mascalzone Latino are long gone and their base is being used as a great party venue for many Auckland functions, the French and Swedish have pretty much packed up by now and intend to be out by Christmas, GBR Challenge and Stars and Stripes are into pack-up mode but will have a presence here till the end of the event, and Prada have yet to announce their plans but are still getting over the emotion of it all.

Racing starts again on Friday 20th December with the Semi-finals repercharge getting under way between the two big USA teams of One World and Oracle. It’s a best of 7 race series or first to four wins and the winner then faces Alinghi in the Louis Vuitton Finals which start on 11th January 2003.

GBR Challenge will have a presence at this year’s boat show in Earls’ Court between 2nd and 12th of January. Peter Harrison and 8 of the sailing team members will be officially opening the show on the 2nd and we will have a stand on the Laser stand (thank you Laser Sailing l!!!), make sure you pop in to say hello and show your continued support.

So all that remains to be said is that we wish all of our friends, families, supporters, sponsors and suppliers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we hope that GBR Challenge continues well into 2003 and beyond with a much greater presence in the UK for a while anyhow!!

GBR Challenge will be officially ‘on holiday’ from the end of Friday 20th December until Monday 6th January. Our web site will be updated after that date.

Source: GBR Challenge Media Office