Audi 2011 Annual Report Download - page 43

precise, and in the second race the
Audi Team takes eighth place. “That’s
better,” the skipper praises and spurs
them on to even greater eff orts.
The guest sailors at the grinder
positions crank on the winches as
hard as their arm muscles, which
are more accustomed to desk work,
allow them to. They must be careful
not to lose grip on the handles while
turning, or they could be injured by
winch cranks spinning at high speed.
After every tack, the massive sails
must be trimmed in tight, and quickly,
on Kröger’s command. The lead
professional trimmer decides when and
how long the trimmers should crank –
the sails must not be allowed to luff .
The guests give it their all – until their
lungs wheeze and their hands burn.
“Go, go, go,” is the unrelenting
chant coming from the “Red-White”
command center in the cockpit, “that
has to be done even quicker!” And it is
done quicker. The pride that comes with
earning the approval of the profes-
sionals keeps everyone from giving up.
As one of the guests attempts
to grasp the mainsheet during a
turn, Kröger yells: “Let go of that
immediately! That thing could
break your arm when it crosses
over!” Everything aboard this yacht
is larger, more powerful and often
more dangerous than on their
familiar coastal cruising boats and
dinghies at home. The professionals
are not only performing to their full
capacities, they are also constantly
monitoring all of the steps and hand
holds of the guest sailors. This is a
double challenge, but is something
that everyone really enjoys thanks
to the keen amateur crew and their
enthusiasm.
And that is why their coordinated
teamwork continues to improve. There
is a sense of urgency here, because the
regatta director immediately calls for
race number three after they cross the
fi nish line. After another briefi ng, the
Audi yacht speeds across the starting
line. Once again, the team improves and
fi nishes in sixth place.
40
_ Experience
When working the foredeck, every hand
hold must count.
Wind and competitors in view: skipper
Tim Kröger and his afterguard –
the thinkers and movers on the Audi Team.