Team
Kan-Do™ Begins Crew Selection Process With
Review Committee Headed By Pro Sailor Terry Hutchinson
Annapolis,
MD (March 22, 2004) - Team Kan-Do (tm), the Chesapeake
Bay entry in the Volvo Ocean Race Round the World
2005 - 2006, announced today the start of their
racing crew selection process with a review committee
led by world class Annapolis sailor Terry Hutchinson.
Hutchinson, an America's Cup and Volvo Race veteran
plus holder of multiple world championship titles,
is a member of the Team Kan-Do Global Advisory
Board. He has agreed to lead a hand-picked review
committee which will begin the daunting challenge
of wading through the mountain of sailing crew
applications that Kan-Do has received.
With
the launch of the Kan-Do web site in October 2003,
competitive sailors worldwide were invited to
apply to join this global team of individuals
that exemplify a positive view of life, can be
role models, and, as a group, are determined to
help each other reach the pinnacle of ocean racing.
Professional sailors with former VOR/Whitbread,
America's Cup, and BT Challenge experience were
encouraged to apply as skipper, navigator, and
watch captains. Other slots were designated for
sailors who may not be professionals but have
reached significant levels of experience in one-design,
maxi and offshore racing. Team Kan-Do remains
committed to their hybrid crew concept, and is
clearly focused to build a team capable and determined
to achieve an overall podium finish. Applicants
were advised that the selection process included
a formal application, team building, psychological
and physiological testing and significant time
sailing.
The resulting avalanche of several hundred applications
surprised the Team and confirmed the notion that
there is a huge interest in such an opportunity.
A large untapped group of talented people eager
and determined to race responded. The majority
of individuals interested in racing for Kan-Do
include high profile professionals with America's
Cup, Volvo Race, Olympic and Open60 racing experience,
who are not only interested in competing but more
specifically want to help broaden the attraction
of the sport and embody the concept and philosophy
of Kan-Do. An impressive mix of every day citizens
with highly-qualified backgrounds that dare to
dream also applied. Hutchinson will assemble a
group that will begin a first review to determine
which of the applicants will make the second round
and be invited for a more detailed screening and
eventually receive invitations for sailing trials.
Expressing
appreciation for Hutchinson's leadership of this
effort, Bischoff said "We have been delighted
to have Terry on our Team Kan Do Advisory Board.
His sailing acumen and accomplishments on the
water stand for themselves and we are happy that
Terry will head our efforts to build a team capable
of competing for a podium position in the Volvo
Ocean Race. We have received so many applications
that we must start the screening process now in
order to give everyone a fair chance and be able
to roll right into sailing trials and training
once these start."
Alden echoes Bischoff's sentiments, "Terry
exemplifies the Kan-Do values and spirit as a
leader. He has shown numerous times his ability
to excel on and off the water in building cohesive
winning teams and we are confident that with his
guidance, Team Kan-Do will not only select the
right talent for the race but will also carry
our ideas and philosophy to a larger market."
"I
appreciate the confidence that John, Patrick and
Team Kan-Do have in my abilities to help in the
process of selecting a team," said Hutchinson.
"With the announcement about Farr Yacht Design
(r) and North Sails, this is a huge responsibility
as Team Kan-Do will have the appropriate tools
to achieve their goal of a podium finish in this
race. One can argue that the result of Team Kan-Do
will only be as good as the people racing the
boat and I welcome the challenge of putting a
successful team together."
The
Volvo Ocean Race starts November 12, 2005 in Vigo,
Galicia, Spain and ends in June 2006 in Northern
Europe. For more information about Team Kan-Do
see the official team web site: www.Kan-Do.com.