By JULIE ASH
Fresh from conquering the world, New Zealand 470 sailor Simon Cooke has an even bigger challenge on his hands analysing the weather on the Hauraki Gulf.
A few days after Cooke and sailing partner Peter Nicholas won the 470 class world championship in Sardinia, Italy, Cooke was back
at work at Oracle BMW Racing, where he is part of the weather team for the America's Cup syndicate.
The eight-man weather team also includes notable Kiwi sailors Aaron McIntosh and Rex Sellers, and is headed by former Team New Zealand meteorologist Bob Rice.
During racing, Cooke will be on the water relaying information to the team's main weather boat, which then forwards it to the afterguard to assist them in deciding which direction to sail.
"Bob Rice does all of the weather, which is more long-term, and we do a lot of the visuals, like seeing how much wind is on the water."
The 25-year-old is enjoying his first cup challenge and coming to grips with the changeable gulf - "I would rather be sailing but I hope this is a logical step for me to get into America's Cup racing."
Cooke and Nicholas' success in the world championships secured New Zealand a spot in the 2004 Olympics but the pair have to win the place for themselves at the national trials. Next year they hope to compete in the world championships and European champs.
Cooke also intends to compete in a few keeler races to give himself a better chance of a sailing job in the next Cup.
"You can't get any higher than the America's Cup. It is like Formula One racing. The biggest dream I have is steering an America's Cup yacht, hopefully for New Zealand."
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