Speaking to skiff golden boy, Nathan Outteridge, at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Sydney in 2010 he admitted to never having steered a catamaran.  The following week he was heading to Sweden to embark upon his America’s Cup career.

Five years down the track this now Olympic gold medalist and multiple dinghy world champion has helmed Artemis, Sweden’s entry, to a thrilling overall win at the AC45 World Series in Bermuda.

It has not come without its setbacks. The team led by triple Olympian Iain Percy had placed last in Portsmouth in August. They hit the rocks on home waters off Gothenburg.  Then after leading all the way round the course in the opening race in Bermuda lost to Oracle USA by a cat’s whisker and were then the recipient of an umpire RIB powering into them seconds from start two.

Describing the scene Nathan offered “The leeward end was favoured. We went early, got low in the box, went in behind Dean (Team SoftBank Japan) came up to hook them to own the leeward end. I saw the RIB coming at us and just lined it up between the hulls to give a soft landing.”

Race director Iain Murray rescheduled the start sequence allowing Artemis an extra two minutes to make the line. The support team with Volvo Ocean Race talent were able to cut away the code zero. Considering their combined speed of some thirty knots Artemis survived the collision well to make the second race.  

With a lot to prove and every point counting Outteridge and his men were running on adrenaline. Pinning Oracle USA against the start line the Nordic team had a great start and were off like a rocket.  Their practice earlier in the week gave them confidence to go for a full foiling gybe in towards the finish when the pressure was on. On port with their nemesis on starboard there was extra work to do. Throwing everything they had the blue hulls nailed it ahead of ETNZ and Oracle.  Artemis team’s resilient comeback reinstated a third race.

ETNZ were the other notable winners in Hamilton. After having a month off racing Peter Burling dropped the ball in the first race but was calm under pressure bouncing back with a second and a first in the final race.  This extended their lead to close the season atop of the rankings.  The first year in the AC fleet this was a real confidence booster for the young team.

As such Super Sunday provided the 1,200 or so spectator boats and shore-side crowds with exhilarating double-points racing in the natural amphitheatre of the Great Sound. The day delivered champagne racing conditions building from 8-10 knots to 15-18 by the start of the second race with short, sharp fifteen minute races set on a tight track.

By contrast conditions earlier in the week had caused Friday’s practice race to be cancelled. Again on Saturday frustratingly light wind kept the fleet moored off Front street which gave the amassing crowd something to engage with.  The fleet finally released into the bay put on a show race in front of Hamilton. Hundreds of people lined the walls and marinas craning to get a view whilst others took to the water in whatever craft they could.

The island of Bermuda had laid on a king’s welcome. The main Front street was lined with stalls, children’s attractions, a stage on which each team was heralded pre-race to the delight of the crowds before the sailors high-fived supporters on the route down to the dock. After sundown an evening of live concerts ignited the town.  Any pre-event criticism had paled as locals engaged animatedly in the regatta. Strangers stopped visitors in the street to enthuse about the event.

Landrover BAR did not have their best regatta.  Sir Ben’s team banked a third place in race one but a tactical error while leading at the first windward mark of the second race was compounded by connection problems with a daggerboard.  Nick Hutton spent valuable time on the leeward hull trying to sort out the batteries. The boat was flying high, with max rake and was going sideways.  Former F1 McLaren team principle and now CEO of Landrover BAR Martin Whitmarsh observed from the finish line. With no margin for error on these short courses it was a disappointing round for the team. However, they maintain an overall third place going into season two.

So the waters off Bermuda have been validated. A different winner at each regatta this year has shown there is no shortage of entertainment for a hungry audience.  Two venues have been locked down for next year with more announcements due before Christmas. Watch this space!

By Ingrid Abery