Nationalité : new-zealander

Age: 35 ans

équipage ABN AMRO

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Winner 2003 Transpac Race (Los Angeles to Honolulu).
Winner Volvo Ocean Race 2001-2002 on Illbruck.
2000 Americas Cup with America One.
Winner Whitbread 1997-1998 on EF Language, with Paul Cayard.
Whitbread 1993-1994 on "Winston" (came in 4th), with Dennis Connor.
1991-1992 Americas Cup with the New Zealand challenge.
Sailed the Sydney-Hobart Race 7 times and the Fastnet Race four times.

Portrait :

"When you spend so much time in very trying conditions with people, you can't afford not to get along."

Mark is not only a very experienced ocean racer, but also an extreme sportsman. He has run marathons across New Zealand, kayaking, mountain running and – according to his wife – and avid watcher of sports on TV. Mark is also a family man who gets great joy from spending time with his wife and two daughters, but admits that ocean racing sometimes makes that difficult. Mark has won many races. These included the last two Whitbreads – the last one on EF Language - and the Volvo Ocean Race 2001-2002 on Illbruck.

From past experience he knows the importance of team spirit and is happy about joining a crew of such formidable fellow sailors. He expects that TEAM ABN AMRO's chances of winning are very good. "Getting one boat in the water early is a huge advantage." He sais that "Putting the two boats together and confirming what we've learnt is a very big advantage." Mark lives for competition and loves to push the envelope in terms of his own performance. Mark is looking forward to sailing again with a team. "The more people on the team, the more knowledge, and in the end you learn a bit more."