56 Breeze Magazine
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Performance Programme team to compete in the Congressional Cup At this issue of Breeze was going to press, the RNZYS Performance Programme KNOTS Racing team was to commence its long-awaited second shot at winning the Congressional Cup at Long Beach, California and earning the coveted Crimson Blazer. However the KNOTS team, made up of World Match Racing number three helm Nick Egnot-Johnson, Sam Barnett, Laurie Jury, Zak Merton, Bradley McLaughlin and Alastair Gifford, had a truly world-class field of seven other eager crews in their way, but felt more than ready for the challenge. Prior to heading to the US, KNOTS’ preparation was assisted by some of New Zealand’s foremost match-racers, sailing against and working with, former Congressional Cup winning skippers Dean Barker and Rod Davis, as well as ocean racing veteran Tony Rae “We are grateful for receiving an invite again this year, after the border restrictions meant we couldn’t take up our spot last year”, said Sam Barnett. “Our first Congressional Cup in 2019 was the best match race regatta we have ever done. We performed really well to finish 5th, and we have been waiting for another go ever since”. “We have really appreciated the opportunity to train with Barker, Rae and Davis – they all know what it takes to win the biggest events in yachting and really helped us by reinforcing what factors to prioritise in the pre-start.” “We had some great battles with them aboard the Etchells in training, using the Squadron rock wall as an imitation Belmont Pier and tuning up our timing, communication and lay lines with their help.” With the 2020 edition of the Congressional Cup being cancelled due to COVID-19, and KNOTS being unable to take part in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions, the team was looking to come back stronger than ever and make the most of the extra two years’
experience since their last campaign. “Missing out last year was a big disappointment – it’s been a very hard two years at this stage of our careers to not be able to leave and return to NZ. However, we return this year fired up to regain our momentum from 2019.” The last seven Congressional Cups have been dominated by American and World Match Racing number five skipper Taylor Canfield and Englishman, World number two Ian Williams, who have shared the title since 2014. However, Barnett isn’t daunted by the class of his competitors. “To be honest, the rankings don’t mean anything anymore. They haven’t been relevant for a while and won’t affect our thinking – it is the individual match ups we are excited for”. “Taylor, Ian and Johnie’s teams were ahead of us in 2019, so we will need to have improved to reach the top. We are confident in our team and our level and won’t be satisfied with anything other than contending for the win overall.” “Taylor and Ian’s teams both have outstanding records in this event, but they are not unbeatable. We will respect them as opponents, but we are not afraid of them”. New Zealanders have historically found good fortune in Long Beach before, with Gavin Brady and Chris Dickson having also won the “Grandfather of Match Racing” along with Barker and Davis. However, the KNOTS team is keeping grounded and avoiding any thoughts of glory. “To join that list we have to win first, and that’s all we are focusing on,” says Barnett. Billy Woodworth
