Saturday, January 24, 2009

Dean Barker: I'm the world's best sailor

Spanish sailing journalists call him the "sad kiwi" because his face seems to reflect a permanent state of sadness. Whether winning the Louis Cup in Valencia on the helm of Emirates Team NZ or the Copa del Rey in Palma on the helm of the Spanish King's TP52 Bribón, Dean Barker, the kiwi match racing maestro, never cracks a smile.

Regardless of whether one prefers the flamboyant Spaniards or the austere Kiwis, Barker's statement that he considers himself to be the world's best sailor comes as surprise. Talking to New Zealand newspaper Sunday Star Times, Barker believes he's better than Brad Butterworth or Russell Coutts, the other kiwi rock stars of the world sailing scene.

Even if he's one of the world's greatest helmsmen, I find it quite pretentious to make such a claim. He might have to opportunity to prove it next week on his home waters even if Butterworth will be on the Alinghi boat calling tactics and Ed Baird will be on the helm.

Click here for the entire article. It's a must read.

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3 Comments:

At 2:42 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

You should read accurately. Deano said: "... I guess that means I think..." Imagine one of his rare, shy smiles, and you get another picture than that of a megalomaniac. He only points to the causality of sailing against the likes of Coutts and Butterworth, and the necessary feeling of being able to beat them. Otherwise he could stay in bed and practice for the fourth child.

 
At 10:29 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Iberdrola won the last copa del rey tp52

 
At 6:51 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

LVPS.....Done! Great result Deano!

 

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