Jimmy Spithill: Revisiting the memory

It’s a little over 12 months since Jimmy Spithill made sailing history, successfully defending the America’s Cup in an epic showdown with Emirates Team New Zealand.

And while preparing for his bid for the ‘three-peat’, the Australian revisited the memory behind Oracle Team USA’s remarkable revival from 8-1 down to a scarcely credible victory.

“For one reason or another this team just seemed to come together in the tough moments,” recalled Spithill. “When the pressure came on, that’s when this team really responded.”

America’s Cup glory could not have seemed further from his team’s grasp following nine races in last year’s event. However, Spithill reveals how their focus never strayed from the next race, and winning each one to at least cut the gap. Improvements were also made to the boat to make it quicker, and the rest is now history.

“For any champion or championship-winning team, one of the most important traits that you would like to have is the ability to come back,” Spithill says. “The ability to come together as a group, and a team, when things aren’t going to plan and you’re facing adversity. For one reason or another this team just seemed to come together in the tough moments. When the pressure came on, that’s when this team really responded.”

With the teams already announced for the next America’s Cup, Spithill’s desire remains undimmed. As he admits in the video, winning the storied race is “addictive” – and a third success could well be around the corner.