Paul Cayard - Skipper
46. USA. Married with two children. When an Olympic silver medal is the blot on the copy book you realise you are dealing with a tough customer. Paul’s history records victories in world championships and being the first American skipper to win this race in 1997-98. After a guest appearance on AMER SPORTS ONE in 2001-2, he comes into his third race with one ambition: “To win again.”
Jules Salter - Navigator
36. Great Britain. Married and expecting second child. Jules has excellent technical knowledge of yachting including meteorology, instrument systems and racing software. Coming into his first Volvo Ocean Race, Jules will call on his experience as navigator onboard the GBR Challenge team from the 2003 America’s Cup to help the crew around the track.
Dirk de Ridder - Trimmer / Helmsman
32. Netherlands. Married with two children. Dirk won the last Volvo Ocean Race on illbruck; he also participated in 1997-98, finishing second aboard Merit Cup. Previous to joining the Pirates of the Caribbean, Dirk had been an Oracle BMW Racing Team crew member. Dirk was a top competitor in the Soling Class where he came fourth in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Justin Ferris - Bow / Trimmer / Helm
30. New Zealand. Single. Justin is an all-round sailor and a sailmaker. The youngest of the Pirates of the Caribbean crew, he has considerable experience in sailmaking and sail design, developed while working in top sail lofts since he was 16 years old in the Bay of Islands (NZ). Ferris was involved in the illbruck Volvo Ocean Race winning campaign in 2001-02 as part of the shore team.
Justin Clougher - Bowman
38. Tasmania. Married with two children. Clougher has an impressive background in ocean racing and his biggest moment was his victory in the Whitbread Race on EF Language in 1997-98, skippered by Paul Cayard. Furthermore, he sailed with the Skipper on AmericaOne, a Louis Vuitton finalist in 2000.
Jerry Kirby - Bowman
49. USA. Married with two children. Kirby describes himself as ‘the world’s oldest bowman’. He won the America’s Cup aboard Bill Koch’s America³, defeating Paul Cayard’s Il Moro di Venezia in a memorable final in 1992. He has taken part in five AC campaigns and one Whitbread Round the World Race on Chessie Racing in 1997-98.
Craig Satterthwaite - Trimmer / Helmsman
31. New Zealand. Married. Craig Satterthwaite is an all-round sailor, having built up his career in different sailing sectors. He sailed The Whitbread in 1997-98 on Swedish Match, then was involved with Team New Zealand in the 2003 America’s Cup campaign as a pitman and boat captain.
Erle Williams - Helmsman
47, New Zealand, married. Erle is one of sailing’s hard men and of the world’s most respected and sought-after yachtsmen. He’s veteran of the Whitbread, the Volvo Ocean Race and the America’s Cup. He’s done three round the worlds; in the America’s Cup, he was the bowman on New Zealand’s KZ7, navigator on Nippon Challenge and strategist with Team New Zealand in 2003.
Mark McTeigue - Grinder
42, Australia. Mark is the 11th crew member aboard The Black Pearl, joining the team for all the In Port races as a grinder. In 1992, Mark began his career as a professional sailor working with Spirit of Australia, a challenger for the America’s Cup. Currently Mark is the starboard grinder for the Alinghi team in the on going America’s Cup.
Anthony Merrington - Allrounder
32. Australia. Anthony has 17 years of yacht racing experience under his belt, accumulating more than 120.000 offshore nautical miles. He competed in the Volvo Ocean Race 2001-02 with Team SEB and this summer sailed as pitman with the Swedish America’s Cup challenger, Victory Challenge. In 2003 he sailed with Ellen MacArthur aboard Kingfisher B&Q in their Jules Verne attempt.
Ian Budgen - Trimmer/Driver
35. UK. Ian began sailing at the Royal Gourock Yacht Club in Scotland. He dominated the international Laser 5000 circuit before moving into the 49er Class, placing second in the 1998 world championships. Budgie brings a wealth of racing experience to the team ranging from his recent experience in the TP52 Class, to America’s Cup sailing with GBR Challenge.
