ACC CREW - THE ACTORS
Every America’s Cup team sets up its sailing team in a slightly different manner. The strengths and weaknesses and the experience of the specific personnel on a team will dictate what division of duties will work best for that team. This is a ‘typical’ set-up for an America’s Cup sailing team.
1 - Bowman
Bowmen are usually strong, acrobatic, and have large reserves of courage. The bowman must connect the sheets and halyards to the headsails and spinnakers when sails are changed, including attaching sheets to the outboard end of the spinnaker pole, which usually means
dangling above and in front of the boat. The bowman is called upon to scale the mast whenever there is a problem aloft and also calls the startline and overlaps, relaying distance information to the afterguard with handsignals.
2 – Mid-Bow
3 – Sewer
The midbow / sewer is a very physical position, demanding great strength, agility and at times an iron-clad stomach to avoid seasickness. On deck, the midbowman works with the mast and pit crew during sail changes. Usually, the midbow also runs the ‘sewer’ below decks, packing and stowing all the sails before and after changes. That means plenty of time below on a bucking boat, with water pouring through the hatches – hence the term sewer.
4 – Pitman
The pitman usually manages the forward part of the boat, coordinating all the halyards and sail changes that take place during a race. The pitman usually doubles as a grinder, so size and strength are good characteristics for this job.
5 – Foredeck / Mast
The mastman works closely with the pitman, especially during sail hoists, using his weight on the halyard to raise the sail with the grinders and pitman taking up the slack. During a spinnaker gybe, the mastman often works with the bow team.
6/7 - Grinders
In a very real sense, the grinders are the engine of an America’s Cup boat. They man the winches that reel in all the sheets and halyards, putting immense stress on their bodies during any sail hoist, tack or gybe as they spend long periods of inactivity punctuated by sudden explosive bursts of energy.
8/9 - Trimmers
The genoa and spinnaker trimmers control the sails at the front of the boat. Sailing upwind, they work with the skipper/helmsman to determine whether the boat sails as close to the wind as possible, sacrificing speed, or sails a slightly lower, longer course at a faster speed. Both ‘modes’ are important, depending on the tactical situation on the race course. The best trimmers can instinctively generate more speed from the boat, as the tactical situation requires, before the onboard computers can pick it up.
10 – Mainsail Grinder
Works the big ‘coffee grinder’ winch that controls the mainsail.
11 - Mainsail Trimmer
The mainsail trimmer controls the position of the mainsail, and is very important in helping the helmsman switch between ‘high’ and ‘fast’ modes.
12 – Runners
Controls the running backstay, and works with the trimmers and helmsman to keep the boat at target VMG (speed). Usually helps the rest of the afterguard with boat on boat tactics.
13 - Traveller
Works the mainsail traveller, controlling speed upwind, and helps the afterguard.
14 – Helmsman / Skipper
The skipper is responsible for making the final tactical decisions on the boat. The helmsman steers the boat, and is responsible for maximising speed in all situations. The helmsman must also be prepared to respond to fast developing, tactical situations, and instinctively know where to place the boat. This may or may not be the same person.
15 - Navigator
The navigator uses the on-board computers and electronics to relay information to the tactician, helmsman, and strategist.
16/17 – Tactician / Strategist
The tactician and strategist work with the rest of the afterguard on race strategy, both immediate and long-term. They distil information from the trimmers, the helmsman, and the navigator before forming a plan. During intense manoeuvres they may assist in the crew work.
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