Superstar Irons Joins Legger Line-Up
by Betsey Crowfoot, Quokka Sports
February 15, 2001
Wellington, New Zealand
Predicts “a steep learning curve” in surly sprint to Sydney.
He’s been a saint, and he’s been a sinister – including the voice of the evil “Scar” in Disney’s “The Lion King”. But aboard LG FLATRON, Jeremy Irons will try on the role of offshore racing sailor.
Jeremy Irons, the acclaimed 52-year-old British performer, will step aboard LG FLATRON for Leg Four of the BT Global Challenge 2000/01, this Sunday. He joins actor Robert Powell and rugby great Zinzan Brooke in a line-up of VIPs who will compete on board various yachts in the one-week sprint from Wellington, New Zealand to Sydney, Australia. The three met the press here on a breezy and clear Thursday morning, before joining their respective teams for practice and corporate sails on Wellington Harbour.
“To have such a considerable challenge and have the good fortune of being asked – it seemed to be something I couldn’t turn down,” said Irons. “You’ve got to fill your life with something – because you’re only here once. I’ve always been attracted to situations that test me, and I’ve also always been attracted to the unknown. This is the unknown: the Southern Ocean.”
Each of the 12 Challenge teams compliments the standard team of skipper and 15 full time crew with two team fresh members each leg – called leggers. In addition to Irons, Brooke and Powell, top corporate personnel from sponsor firms and journalists will also race as leggers on this 1,230-mile stretch from Wellington to Sydney, which is among the shortest in the event.
Irons is a long-time friend of Robert and Babs Powell, who introduced him to the Challenge. With Robert Powell’s addition to the crew of Logica, the trio of friends will become rivals on three separate teams.
Powell admitted, “I would NEVER have volunteered to do this – ever. Having been asked,” he conceded, “there was no way to say no.” He said he’s doubly driven by the fact that his wife, a former dance star, is currently racing as a full time crew member aboard VERITAS. “I am in awe of what she’s achieved, sailing halfway around the world. My respect for my wife and her courage is beyond bounds.”
A respected actor on screen and stage, Powell said his schedule had only allowed 10 days of sail practice, causing concern about “slipping into the rhythm” of a tightly-knit team. But he admitted to being a “tad lucky”, saying he’d “consorted” a lot with his team. “I’ve only sailed with them very briefly, but I’ve been to lots of parties with them!”
Logica skipper Jeremy Troughton, however, pointed out leggers like Powell bring the crews, “a breath of fresh air, a new face, new jokes” – during the 30,000 mile race around the world.
Zinzan Brooke -- who followed his reign as a rugby superstar here in his native New Zealand with a stint coaching in England – said he has recently decided to take a break from rough and tumble football. “So when the opportunity came from VERITAS, I jumped at it. It’s a good change to get away from rugby and no better place to get away from it than jumping on a boat!”
He admitted he’s the least experienced sailor of the bunch – and joked, “My biggest concern actually is staying on the boat!” Plus, during one of just three sail training days he’s had in Plymouth, UK, he confessed to a bout of seasickness. Struggling at 2 a.m. to help reef the mainsail, he recounted, “It wasn’t a great experience.” Brooke anticipates he’ll make his contribution to VERITAS flexing his muscles more than his mouth or his mind.
“Zinny’s got plenty of enthusiasm – and we can do a lot with that!” recognised VERITAS skipper, Will Carnegie. “My job is to use the crew efficiently, putting Zinny in the best place. And that’s obviously on the foredeck, pulling sails down, the physical stuff. I’m sure he’ll fit in very well.”
Each of the crew expressed concern about how best to serve the crews, which have already sailed halfway around the globe. Irons noted, "One of the things you have to do whether you join a film or start in a play is to get on with people quickly and start working with them. I think my background helps me with that,” and anticipates a smooth transition.
LG FLATRON skipper Conrad Humphreys agreed. “The beauty of this race is everyone plays a huge part and role on the boat” – and on this leg in particular, as the 12-boat fleet screams across the Tasman Sea. “Jeremy’s got some sailing experience,” Humphreys said, noting Irons’ began sailing as a youngster on the Isle of Wight.
Presently Irons owns a 30-foot wooden yawl he keeps in Ireland, but said, “I’ve never sailed anything like this machine … or with a crew of this size … or in weather this violent. So this is going to be a steep learning curve.”
“I’m expecting the worst and I hope to be pleasantly surprised,” he said.