Outteridge promoted to Swiss helm
Australian Nathan Outteridge has been rewarded for his fine performances as a stand-in skipper in Sailgp by being handed the wheel of the Swiss boat for the remainder of season four.
The double Olympic medallist replaces Sebastien Schneiter, who has stepped aside to focus on his campaign for the Paris 2024 Games.
The development enables Outteridge to renew his rivalry with fellow Aussie Tom Slingsby, who beat Outteridge — then driving the Japan entry — in the final of Sailgp’s first season in 2019.
Slingsby’s Australia boat is the current series leader having held off Outteridge, then helming for New Zealand, in last month’s Sydney leg.
Team Australia came first and New Zealand third, with Denmark splitting the pair.
Outteridge, who has also been a stand-in for Denmark this season, has been working with the Swiss since late 2022.
“Outteridge . . . has been supporting the Swiss over the past 18 months in a number of roles, from sailing adviser and coach, to co-driver and strategist,” the team said in a statement.
“His experience in the league and sailing credentials makes him a natural replacement for Schneiter.”
The 38-year-old Outteridge, who won Olympic gold at the London 2012 Games and silver at Rio 2016, said: “When Seba (Schneiter) called me and asked me to take over as the Switzerland driver, I had to say yes.
“It’s an honour to be asked and it’s been a real pleasure working with the team for the past 18 months.
“I’ve learned a lot from my different roles and now understand so much more about the F50, other than only being behind the wheel and driving it.
“I’ve been without a drive in Sailgp for the last couple of seasons, since driving for the Japan Sailgp Team.
“I have pretty high expectations of myself and what I’d like to get out in terms of results for the remainder of Season 4, and those expectations will hopefully flow across the whole team.”
Swiss team CEO Tanguy Cariou said the appointment of Outteridge represented “a great opportunity”.
“There’s no one better who can help enhance the team’s performance and help us develop our longterm goal,” he said.
The next leg of Sailgp takes place on Lyttelton Harbour, near Christchurch, this weekend.