Positive developments for Team Ireland
by Louay, bangthecorner.com 27 Jan 2005 08:16 GMT
The pace of work for Team Ireland’s committee has seen a definite rise since the New Year as expected. It’s a crucial time for the establishment of plans and the promotion of team and campaign. Finance remains the biggest challenge, but one all involved believe will be met in time.
John Killeen has taken up his role of campaign Chairman, bringing significant commercial and sailing expertise to the team. He is flanked by John McWilliam who fills a technical role ensuring that everything and everyone is in perfect shape for competition. The two will direct the team and support its management to ensure the team is proficiently run and that the projected best in class policy is met. Killeen’s philosophy is simple – compete to win, that shared by the whole team.
Eamon Conneely’s signing up of Ian Walker as his key man on Patches for most of the 2005 season, including the Admiral’s Cup, is a huge boost for the crew of the TP and the Irish Team as a whole. Having the skills and experience that Ian can bring to the team is fantastic and a great compliment to Eamon’s approach so far.
Charles Swingland although an Englishman by birth, Charles (the now honourably Irishman!) has committed his yacht ‘Piper at the Gates of Dawn’ to the Irish Challenge. Charles enjoyed a good season last year, his first with Piper, with a number of Irish crew, leading to his willingness to help out. With not a single Swan 45 Irish owned, this support is crucial to the feasibility of the challenge. Beyond his ownership of this key boat Charles has a massive amount to bring to the team in his business and team skills to support our back room effort.
Tom Fitzpatrick has enjoyed excellent progress too of late. Tom completed a deal with British Mumm 30 owner Ed Clayson to work with him for the season. Clayson’s boat is in top shape and at the leading edge of the fleet in the UK. On the back of this deal Tom is negotiating with Jochem Visser, also known as ‘the speed doctor’ to sail with him. This would be a big plus for all as the two time Mumm 30 world champion also won the Admiral’s Cup in 1999 with Holland. He wants the Cup back now and feels that with a lot of hard work the Irish team could have what it takes!
Tom McWilliam is the Team Sail Co-ordinator & Coach, he represented Ireland at the 1992 Olympics. An accomplished yachtsman, he is currently a highly successful coach and sailmaker based in the South of England. With his wealth of technical knowledge and ability, Tom is a huge asset to the team. He will support all yachts in terms of technical development and sail technology.
Jamie Boag is the team Coach, also based in the South of England, Jamie brings a variety of skills to the challenge. First and foremost, he is a sailing team coach with a fantastic ability to develop individual and team skills. A real team player, his ability to deliver will be vital both in preparation and in the heat of competition.
With such significant developments afoot the campaign has great momentum and becomes more of a reality every day. Sponsorship is top of the agenda now and is the key focus. Interested sponsors should contact the team.
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