Rae brings new meaning to the word loyal

By JULIE ASH

Forty-one-year-old Tony Rae has sailed in every New Zealand challenge for the America's Cup except the 1988 "mismatch."

"I have been here since the start - they can't get rid of me," he said.

Rae's sailing career began when he was eight, following in the footsteps of his father, Murray, who represented New Zealand in the Flying Dutchman class at the 1960 Olympics in Rome.

" My father was a big influence," Rae said.

"I started in the P class and did the normal stuff before getting into bigger boats."

Rae then took up a job as a sail-making apprentice and got into ocean and match racing.

He has circumnavigated the globe three times in the round-the-world race and has competed in numerous offshore and match-racing events.

During 10 years in the America's Cup, Rae has seen a significant number of changes.

"Going into the America's Cup-class in San Diego was a big change," he said.

"Now there are bigger teams with big owners and a lot more is at stake."

Rae, competing in his fifth America's Cup, said he was looking forward to the start of the defence next month.

"It is great to be part of this team, with so many young and enthusiastic guys."

Tony Rae - mailsail trimmer

Age: 41

Place of birth: Auckland

Nickname: Trae

Cup experience:

2000: Team New Zealand

1995: Team New Zealand

1992: New Zealand Challenge

1987: New Zealand Challenge.

Career highlights:

1997: Keil Week 1st, ILS worlds 1st, Maxi worlds 1st, NZ Admiral's Cup team; 1996: Kenwood Cup 1st, Mumm 36 European circuit 2nd, Big Boat Series 1st; 1993: Whitbread race 1st; 1992: Kenwood Cup 2nd, Two-Ton Worlds 1st; 1991: Admiral's Cup, US team.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

Racing schedule, results and standings