Rivalry in the wind

By JULIE ASH

Although Alinghi are often branded the Russell and Brad show, long-time strategist and trimmer Murray Jones could be the syndicate's real secret weapon when they line up against Team New Zealand next month.

Jones, often perched high up the mast, helps the Alinghi afterguard of tactician Brad Butterworth, navigator Ernesto Bertarelli, strategist Jochen Schuemann and helmsman Russell Coutts determine where the best breeze is on the course.

And when it comes to finding where to position race boat SU164, the Swiss syndicate seem to have it mastered.

So much so that they have been described as the most lethal afterguard in world sailing.

Throughout the Louis Vuitton challenger series Alinghi consistently managed to position themselves well at the start, secure the first wind shift and power around the first mark ahead. After they achieved that early advantage it was often game, set, match to Alinghi.

Butterworth and triple Olympic gold medallist Schuemann are often credited with Alinghi's commanding tactical performance - but the Jones factor is also an integral part of Alinghi's success.

Yachting New Zealand's high-performance manager, Peter Lester, believes Jones offers a significant amount to what is already a strong afterguard.

"Murray is tactically very practical. He has a very low-key approach. There is no fluff around the edges with Murray," Lester said.

'He is a mast-maker and there are a couple of dimensions like his background in dinghy sailing which make him very good at what he does."

Born in Wellington, Jones grew up sailing alongside the likes of GBR syndicate head David Barnes and Coutts.

After a successful career in the 470 class, Jones went on to win the national Flying Dutchman title three times and finished second in the class in the world championships in 1992. He then won the Swan worlds, the Admirals Cup and the Sydney 40 world championships.

"When he was a young guy sailing he was pretty hot-headed but now he is as cool as a cucumber," Lester said.

"The humour of Coutts and Butterworth is very dry but Murray complements that. He is a good bloke."



His America's Cup career began with Team New Zealand in 1995. He spent a lot of time at the helm during training sessions and even though he admitted at the time he wasn't "all that keen" on heights, he was the one scaling the mast when Team New Zealand won the auld mug.

But after the 2000 defence, Jones joined his long-time friends Coutts, Butterworth, trimmers Simon Daubney and Warwick Fleury and bowman Dean Phipps and went to Alinghi.

"It is no secret that I try to sail with the very best people," Coutts said recently.

"When you get the people mix right, the rest of the game becomes relatively easy or easier and I think that having that support around me, makes me a lot calmer. Things that have to happen do happen and that makes my job a little easier."

Jones was missing from the crew during the first round of the challenger series and most of the second after breaking his foot while training in August. Since his return he has been on the boat in every race.

Butterworth said Jones was the best around at spotting the wind.

"We have a great relationship in terms of making a decision and I think that's rare. That sort of chemistry is rare and is something hard to get. It has taken us a while.

"We try and keep the races close when we're behind. If we are leading we don't take too many chances unless it it obvious we can make a gain."

So come February 15, Jones' role will be decisive. With the breeze on the Hauraki Gulf often so fickle, the team who find it will be the one who comes away with the America's Cup.

JUST THE FACTS

Name: Murray Jones.

Date of birth: October 4, 1957.

Place of birth: Wellington.

Position: Strategist/trimmer.

Status: Married to Olympic sailing silver medallist Jan Shearer.

America's Cup highlights:

2000 - Team New Zealand.

1995 - Team New Zealand.

Career highlights:

1999 - Sydney 40 world championships, 1st.

1998 - Swan world championships, 1st.

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