Cost cutting by Team New Zealand has resulted in one crew member changing roles from grinding onboard the boat to driving a truck in Northland.
Whangarei resident Chris McAsey was amongst three Team New Zealand members who lost their jobs since the Americas Cup campaign in August last year reports the Northern Advocate.
McAsey was a grinder on board the Team New Zealand boat which completed in San Francisco but told the Northern Advocate: “New rules introduced have cut me out of a job.”
“They call it cost cutting. To me, it’s a shame because they are cutting people who make things happen on board (the boat),” he says.
McAsey was a top-level rower until seduced by sailing while watching New Zealand win the America’s Cup in 1995. In the build-up to the 2003 Team New Zealand challenge he got his chance when he was hired as grinder.
He also sailed with the Emirates Team New Zealand’s 2007 challenge in Valencia and was back for the Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas.
However, Team New Zealand’s loss is a Dargaville employers gain. McAsey has secured work as a truck driver and says he is enjoying the role.
But the call of the sea also remains strong, McAsey has recently competed in some Carribean-based regattas for some private yacht owners, and he says another race is being lined up in Europe for another private yacht owner later this year.
