It was somehow foreseeable that Outerridge would take over the helm of the second boat (Artemis Red) at official challenger Artemis Racing with immediate effect. Luna Rossa, Team New Zealand and defender Oracle Team USA have already helped themselves to the "transfer market". Outerridge thus replaces the Argentinian Lange, a two-time Olympic medallist in the Tornado. The Swedes have the financial means, a good organisation and outstanding personnel. However, the expected successes have yet to materialise. "Joining Artemis is a great opportunity for me," said Outerridge via the press office. "Artemis is solid all round and I can't wait to join Terry Hutchinson and the sailing team for my first Cup."
Terry Hutchinson, the skipper of the first boat (Artemis White), comes from the keelboat division and has so far mainly appeared in the match races of the America's Cup World Series. With Outteridge, the current Olympic champion in the 49er skiff, they hope to have brought a strong training partner into the team who can also stir things up at the front in the fleet race from time to time, as he has already demonstrated with the much more modestly organised Team Korea. However, he is also likely to play a key role in the switch to the large AC72 cat, which the Swedes have not yet been able to put into the water after a catastrophic mast breakage during test runs on a converted ORMA 60 trimaran in Spain.
Broken centreboard at Oracle Team USA
This is doubly embarrassing because both Team New Zealand and Oracle are already sailing the first AC72 and showing that these boats can be equipped with centreboards that resemble hydrofoils. Both hulls are lifted completely out of the water, allowing these boats to reach speeds of 40 knots and more. Outerridge, who was twice world champion in the 49er and won the World Foiler Moth title in 2011, is probably more familiar with such feats than the former keelboat skipper Hutchinson. "When you have someone of the calibre of Nathan Outteridge with you, it's a fine thing," said Hutchinson. "I reckon our experience and his youthful enthusiasm should go well together."
The Announcement
