Carter helps struggling Brits deal with pressure
The struggling British America’s Cup syndicate caught up with All Blacks great Dan Carter to give them advice on pressure situations and have vowed to be competitive for their return to action.
INEOS Team UK missed both official practice sessions last week as they suffered untimely damage and have had their boat labelled ‘‘the lamest of lame ducks’’ back in the British media.
But a defiant grinder Freddie Carr has spoken of the promise that lies in store as they tinker with the boat, and felt a session with Carter at Eden Park was the perfect tonic on the back of a frustrating few days when they were forced to watch their opposition, rather than line out against them.
‘‘We went off-site and had a kick around with Dan Carter. He shared his experiences in high pressure situations and talked in length about the Rugby World Cup final in 2015 and how he dealt with that pressure,’’ Carr said.
‘‘Every cloud has a silver lining I guess and it was brilliant. We all know that All Blacks side from 2010 to modern day is considered one of the best sports teams of all time.
‘‘We had a talk about the culture inside the All Blacks and what makes this winning culture and not only their starting XV but the wider group.
‘‘A lot of those lessons translate over to us as a sailing team and into the design team as well.
It was a pretty fun morning.’’
Syndicate boss Ben Ainslie has branded Team New Zealand ‘‘the All Blacks of sailing’’ and spoken about the challenge of beating them on their home waters. Right now, INEOS Team UK appear a long way off the speed and manoeuvrability being displayed the Kiwi defenders.
Carter said he enjoyed the session after Ainslie had won the pleasure of the Eden Park session at an auction last week.
‘‘Awesome morning playing touch rugby and kicking goals. Look forward to watching you guys racing over the next months. I’ll be the guy waving the NZ flag,’’ Carter said.