You can't keep Macfarlane down on the farm

By JULIE ASH

Life at Team New Zealand is a far cry from what life could have been like for Winston Macfarlane.

Macfarlane grew up in the South Island and after completing a degree in agriculture, was destined for the family farm in Marlborough.

However, sailing was his real passion.

"A lot of family friends had yachts, so I did a lot of sailing around the Marlborough Sounds.

"Come the end of varsity, I had to make the call whether to go farming or do something different.

"I had two brothers and a sister, but none of them were into farming and I almost felt like I should be the one to go and sort of take it on.

"But it wasn't what I really wanted to do. I love the outdoors but I couldn't see myself living on the farm. I thought I'd be a bit lonely.

"At that stage I was chomping at the bit to get up here for the America's Cup."

In 1999 he contacted Sir Peter Blake, who was in charge of Team New Zealand, and asked how he could get involved.

"He said the team was full, so I ended up getting a job with Southern Spars, building masts for the cup boats."

While working at Southern Spars he also competed in a number of sailing events.

"Then a boat called Morning Glory [owned by SAP boss Hasso Platner] came into town and they were looking for some helping hands.

"So I ended up getting a job on that which turned out to be very beneficial for my career because a number of Team New Zealand sailors were also on the crew."

After the defections after the last cup, Macfarlane won a position as one of Team New Zealand's runner/pitmen.

"With my position you are involved in a lot of processes of 'drops and hoists' and you are not just in one position as such.

"It is quite a responsible position. If you screw it up it could cost you the race."

However, the job is not stressful enough to put him off future campaigns.

"After this campaign I would like to go for another one. Your confidence levels just increase as you spend more time on the boat.

"The whole team atmosphere at Team New Zealand is just so much better than I thought it would be.

"Everyone in the team is good mates. There is not one bad egg."

Winston Macfarlane - runner/pitman:

Age: 25

Place of birth: Blenheim

Career highlights

2001: Fastnet race, Morning Glory, jubilee regatta, KZ7.

2000: Hamilton and Hayman Island race weeks, Starlight Express, Auckland-Fiji race.

1999: Wellington to Akaroa race, Frenzy

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