RYA Team GBR Team Manager appointed for the Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup 

Nigel King has been chosen to manage RYA Team GBR at this year’s Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup

The four teams recently selected to represent RYA Team GBR in this summer’s Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup 2012 have received an additional boost to their prosperous campaign with the appointment of a highly experienced Team Manager.  

Nigel King, who possesses a wealth of experience as both a sailor and a coach, was carefully selected by the Royal Yachting Association last week as the perfect candidate to guide RYA Team GBR Red, White, Blue and Black to success in one of the most prestigious events on the international yachting calendar.

With 25 years of racing/coaching experience under his belt, Nigel has managed and coached racing teams at top international level both offshore and inshore. Offshore, Nigel has competed in crewed events such as the Volvo Ocean Race and Jules Verne trophy, in double handed IMOCA 60 races such as the Transat Jacque Varbe and has spent three years racing solo on the Beneteau Figaro II circuit. He has also completed four Sydney to Hobart races, three Rolex Middle Sea Races and five transatlantic races as skipper or crew.

Inshore, Nigel has worked and raced in teams on the Olympic class circuit, RC44, Extreme 40, the World Match Race tour plus small keelboat campaigns in a variety of classes. His skills and talents have brought him together with some of the sport's top skippers; including Mike Golding, Ellen MacArthur, Paul Cayard, Dee Caffari and Cameron Appleton.

A key focus of King’s new role is to agree on areas that he can best assist each GBR team in order to help with their preparation and performance in the build-up and at the event including training sessions for the whole GBR team, daily briefing and debriefing sessions, and to make sure that all teams are aware of the Team Rules policy.

“I am very excited to be a part of the Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup,” enthused King. “ It is always a great honour when asked to be a part of a representative team and hopefully in my role as manager I can allow the teams to really focus on their sailing, and as coach I am a resource for the team to use. My experience across the different areas of the sport as well as my expertise in coaching and competing in key regattas across the world will hopefully be of value to the teams when competing this summer.

“The next few weeks will be spent talking with all the teams and going over their planning in the build-up to the event. From then we will formulate a plan that will help the four teams in their preparation for the event, which will include identifying a clear set of goals for the next two months in order for them to maximise the time they have left between now and July.”  

King concluded: “It’s fantastic that we have been able to muster four strong teams from what looked like very competitive trials. I am really looking forward to working with them all and am extremely positive that all four teams will perform well and have the potential to claim this year’s title.”  

John Derbyshire, RYA Racing Manager/Performance Director, added: “We were delighted that someone of Nigel’s calibre was available to act as Manager and Coach to the GBR entries. We are thrilled with the expertise which Nigel brings to the table. His interpersonal skills are excellent and his sailing career speaks for itself and we look forward to having him on board and leading RYA Team GBR to success in July.”  

A tough mix of inshore and offshore racing, the Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup 2012 is an intense seven-day programme for IRC (endorsed) rated yachts that will take place in and around the Solent from Saturday 21st July – Saturday 28th July 2012.  

For further information on the event please visit the event website.