Greek Challenge Present Crew for Louis Vuitton Pacific Series
 

Photo / Paul Todd / Bob Grieser
www.outsideimages.co.nz , www.adrenalinimages.com 

Auckland, NZ - Greek Challenge presented on Friday morning its crew line up for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Without losing its Greek identity, the team crew has a strong kiwi flavor, with a total of 8 New Zealanders out of the 21 sailors that will be racing off Auckland’s harbor for the next 2 weeks. Twelve Greeks will be defending their home colors and the 21-man roster in Auckland is completed with 1 South African.

Gavin Brady, 5-times America’s Cup helmsman, will drive the boat in the team’s maiden participation in a world-level regatta, against the world’s top America’s Cup teams. In fact, the first ever Greek team for the America’s Cup will have to face none other than Alinghi, current defender and 2-time winner.

The Louis Vuitton Pacific Series is the first step in a long-term effort to develop young sailors from Greece and create a stable platform that will lead to a competitive America’s Cup team.

Brief background of the Sailors

	BATTEN, Kevin Position on the boat: Bowman Nationality: NZL 2008 : Bowman for Team Origin – 33rd America’s Cup 2004 / 07 : Rigging manager for BMW Oracle – 32nd America’s Cup 2001 / 03 : Mid Bowman for Oracle BMW Racing – 31st America’s Cup
	BENAKIS, Dimitrios Position on the boat: Mastman Nationality: GRE
	BOUBOURAS, Angelos Position on the boat: Port Grinder Nationality: GRE
	BOUGIOURIS, Antonis Position on the boat: Floater Nationality: GRE 2009 : 1st at Christmas Race, Laser 2008 : 6th at Laser World Championships 2004 : 13th at Tornado World Championship 2000 : 14th at Laser Sydney Olympics 1999 : Laser World champion 1998 : 2nd placed, Laser World Championships More than 20 times Greek Laser & Tornado Champion
	BRADY, Gavin Position on the boat: Helmsman Nationality: NZL 2004 / 05 : Helmsman for BMW Oracle – 32nd America’s Cup 2001 / 03 : Helmsman for Prada Challenge – 31st America’s Cup 1999 / 00 : Helmsman for AmericaOne - 30th America’s Cup 1997 / 98 : Helmsman for Chessie Racing - Whitbread Round the World Race. 1994 / 95 : Tactician for Tag Heuer Challenge – 29th America’s Cup
	BUSEAS, Sotiris Position on the boat: Aft Grinder / Skipper Nationality: GRE
	CHANIOTIS, Konstantinos Position on the boat: Starboard Grinder Nationality: GRE 1999 : 1st place Laser's Balcan championship 2000 :  12th place, Laser 's Worlds 2002 : Greek Lightning champion 2007 : 5th place, Lightning European Championships 2008 : 1st Aegean Rally IRC 7 times Greek Laser championship 5 times Greek J24 champion
	CLARKE, Stu Position on the boat: Mid Grinder Nationality: NZL 2006 / 07 : Grinder for BMW Oracle Racing – 32nd America’s Cup 2001 / 03 : Grinder for Oracle BMW Racing – 31st America’s Cup 1999 / 00 : Grinder for AmericaOne – 30th America’s Cup
	HURST, Zachary Position on the boat: Downwind Trimmer (Reserve) Nationality: NZL 2008 : Trimmer for TP52 “Platoon by Team Germany” - AUDI Med Cup 2007 / 08 : Trimmer for Team Germany – 33rd America’s Cup 2004 / 07 : Trimmer for BMW Oracle – 33rd America’s Cup 2001 / 03 : Trimmer for Team New Zealand – 31st America’s Cup
	KAGIALIS, Pavlos Position on the boat: Mid Bowman (Reserve) Nationality: GRE 2008 : 2nd place, Barcelona Olympic Week 2007 : Greek 470 Champion 2006 : 2nd place, French Olympic Week 2006 : Greek 470 Champion
	KARAYIANNIDIS, Anestis Position on the boat: Pit Assistant Nationality: GRE 2001 / 06 : IMS Greek National Champion 2006 : IMS 600 World Champion 2005 : IMS 600 European Champion 2000 / 02 : 1st place, Farr 40 Key West
	KEENAN, Rodney Position on the boat: Mainsail Trimmer Nationality: NZL
	LAGESSE, Marc Position on the boat: Navigator Nationality: RSA 2008 : Navigator for TP52 “Platoon by Team Germany” - AUDI Med Cup 2007 / 08 : Navigator for Team Germany – 33rd America’s Cup 2005 / 07 : Navigator for Shosholoza – 32nd America’s Cup
	MANTIS, Panagiotis Position on the boat: Traveller (Reserve) Nationality: GRE 2008 : Platu 25 World Champion 2008 : 3rd place, Barcelona Olympic week 2007 : 2nd place, French Olympic week 10 times Greek Platu 25 Champion
	PACHOUMAS, Athanasios Position on the boat: Downwind Trimmer Nationality: GRE 2008: Greek Olympic 470 men team coach 2006: 2nd place, 49er World Championship Member of the Greek national team
	PATENIOTIS, Michail Position on the boat: Mid Bowman Nationality: GRE 2008 : 2nd place, ORCi Worlds Championship 2008 : 1st place, 49er National Championship 2001 : 1st place, Lightning Youth Worlds 2001 : 2nd place European Lightning Championships
	SCANTLEBURY, Jeremy Position on the boat: Pitman Nationality: NZL 2005 / 07 : Sailing team manager for Victory Challenge – 32nd America’s Cup 2001 / 03 : Pitman for OneWorld – 31st America’s Cup 1999 / 00 : Boatbuilding Manager for Team New Zealand – 30th America’s Cup 1994 / 95 : Team New Zealand – 29th America’s Cup 1991 / 92 : Team New Zealand – 28th America’s Cup
	SCHON, Carsten Position on the boat: Upwind Trimmer Nationality: NZL 2007 : Trimmer for United Internet Team Germany – 32nd America’s Cup 2005 : Trimmer for Areva Challenge - 32nd America’s Cup 2001 / 03 : Trimmer for Team New Zealand – 31st America’s Cup 2000 : Farr 40 World Champion
	SLATER, Dan Position on the boat: Traveller Nationality: NZL 2008 : 2nd place, World Finn championship 2007 : 2nd place, World Finn championship 2005 : 2nd place, European Finn championship 2004 : Coach of NZ Olympic team – Athens Olympics 2001 / 03 : Strategist / Tactician for Team New Zealand – 31st America’s Cup 2000 : 8th place, 49er at Sydney Olympics
	TAGAROPOULOS, Alexandros Position on the boat: Runner Nationality: GRE 2008 : 2nd place, Greek J24 Championship 2007 : 2nd place, South Europe J24 Championship 18 times Greek Champion in 470, J24, Benetau 25 and X-35 1997 : 3rd place, 470 Junior World Championship
	TSOULFAS, Theodoros Position on the boat: Runner (Reserve) Nationality: GRE

Valencia training camp crew