Family steered Salthouse into boats from an early age

By JULIE ASH

Considering his family background it comes as no surprise that Chris Salthouse is a sailor at Team New Zealand.

His grandfather, John Brooke, was a yacht designer and past commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and his father, John, founded Salthouse Boatbuilders, a successful Auckland business, now run by his brother, Phil.

His mother, Judy, was an Auckland dinghy sailing champion.

"I didn't really have much option," he said. "The whole family is into it."

Salthouse sailed dinghies in his youth and then joined North Sails as a sailmaker.

He crewed on winning boats in the Admirals, Kenwood and Congressional Cups, as well as grinding on the giant boat in the mismatch America's Cup challenge of 1988, defended by Dennis Conner in a catamaran.

"I was only 19 at the time. It was a funny regatta anyway because it was such as mismatch. But it taught me a lot."

Among those Salthouse sailed with in those early campaigns were David Barnes, now with GBR Challenge, and Rod Davis (Prada).

"They are all your mates. I sailed with David for a long time, and Rod. Now they have all branched out."

Salthouse stayed with the New Zealand Challenge for 1992, but then sailed with Chris Dickson on Tag Heuer in 1995.

He "watched the cup" in 2000, concentrating on his job at North Sails, which catered for visiting super yachts.

But when Team New Zealand was looking for new crew members after the 2000 defence, Salthouse was keen to sign up.

"The America's Cup is going to be a great series to watch," he believes. "I think we are on track. We still have a little bit of work to do, but we have also done a lot of work.

"My feeling is that this team are way more motivated than teams I have been involved with before. It is a real team; everyone's opinion counts. Everyone is focused on the same thing. You come to work with your mates, all wanting the same thing."

Asked if he has any plans after this America's Cup, Salthouse said: "Another America's Cup - another defence."

Chris Salthouse - mainsail trimmer

Age: 34

Place of Birth: Devonport, North Shore

Nickname: Curly.

Cup highlights:

1995: Tag Heuer Challenge (traveller)

1992: Team New Zealand (sail loft manager)

1988: New Zealand Challenge K Boat (mainsheet grinder).

Career highlights:

2000: 1st Kenwood Cup

1999: 1st maxi worlds (Sayonara), record Sydney-Hobart race (Mari Cha III)

1998: 1st Kenwood Cup, NZ team

1997: Admiral's Cup, NZ Team.

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