© 2002 - Photo by Team Dennis Conner

One of you had a good idea to ask Ken some questions and so we did. Ken was prompt, receptive, and professional about it. Very impressive, especially considering some of what we have flung TDC's way over time. I guess what's even more so is that Ken has just a bit on his plate these days, yet he got us these answers just a few hours ago. Obviously a better man than I, this kind of effort by Ken certainly does not go unnoticed. Would you like some more TDC impressiveness? Tom Whidden today just sent us the answers to the longest InnerView we've ever done. It would have just been so easy for these guys to say "No thanks, we're very busy with the America's Cup. Please get back to us after the first of the year." But they didn't, and to me that speaks volumes about them. Don't tell anybody, but on some level, I'm kinda pulling for these guys. - The Ed

You obviously have focused more of your sailing on match racing since the last AC campaign.

KR:
There is no doubt that match racing strategy becomes more important as boat speeds get closer together. Last campaign we were the least penalized of the teams which was clearly beneficial. Peter Gilmore, who I would deem more of a "match racer" was the most penalized in the fleet. I understand that this is just one factor in match racing but it becomes an important one when it comes to overall strategy-- and inevitably winning or losing races. At the end of the day, doing a portion of the Swedish Match Circuit taught us a lot... yet the biggest question always remains how aggressive do you want to be and how much of the race do you want to put into the judges hands.

What did you set out to improve on?

KR:
Several things. First, getting communication down with Terry Hutchinson and learning to trust each other. We were pretty much on the same page the first event we did together and are solidly on the same page today. We set out to improve and constantly update our playbook with as many "situations" as we could encounter. Learning from doing it right (and wrong) was critical. Learning how the judges see things was also critical. Finally, developing our own style was most important. Through our practices and regatta racing we went in to each event with a different approach on sailing style. We promised ourselves that we would try it all and then settle on what we were most comfortable with. We definitely accomplished that and feel comfortable with our conclusions.

Do you feel you are on track?

KR:
Good question. There is one thing for certain. "On track" in the America's Cup means being fast! Understanding the match racing is one thing, but at the end of the day speed always wins. We could always be faster, and after this round we will know a lot more and tweak from there.

How are you approaching the Louis Vuitton Cup?

KR:
Goal number one is try to be in the final four. There is a big advantage to being in the top four after the first two rounds. You wear out your gear far less and sail cards are at a premium. But, this is a long haul (hopefully). Minimize the simple mistakes and get better each day. Don't get too high or too low based on specific wins and losses. One of the hardest parts to these trials-- you have a huge win and then about 10 minutes to enjoy it before you have to start getting ready for the next day. Our experience amongst the entire sailing team should help us, as it did last time.

Do you have a different strategy for the early rounds.

KR:
We do need to find our boats potential in different conditions. If we fail to find that early on, and don't make the right adjustments, we won't be around long.

How do you prepare for each match?

KR:
Personally, I get in early and spend a lot of the morning doing my own homework. I have always done that whatever the event. If I have done my job right, the team kicks into gear without any managing. I go through our playbook trying to find the right match ups with the team we are competing against that day. I think all athletes have different rituals the morning of a competition. Everybody has there own chores to do, but at the same time we really want the entire team to develop there own preparation routine. Then, they are hopefully in their own particular comfort zone when it is time to compete.

10/02/2002