“The first time I saw Artemis competing was in Bermuda at the America’s Cup. They had a really cool feel about the team, from the outside anyway. I remember the dock-off songs of the Artemis team getting stuck in my head when I was out racing for the Kiwi boat.”
But while he’s in new colours, he will be back among familiar faces.
Maloney’s addition completes the Artemis line-up, which is one that could quickly see the team become the second favourite for Kiwi SailGP fans.
Maloney links up with Team New Zealand America’s Cup teammates Nathan Outteridge and Chris Draper, driver and wing trimmer respectively, with Artemis, as well as Sweden-based Kiwi grinder and jib trimmer Brad Farrand. While Outteridge was a free agent, Draper moved to Artemis from Australia, while Farrand competed with Italy this year.
The team is rounded out by Swedish duo Julia Gross (strategist) and Julius Hallström (grinder), who join the team from Italy and Denmark, respectively.
“I’m really excited to join this team. [They’re] really professional, and to join some sailors that I also have a lot of experience sailing with,” Maloney said.
The Swedish crew look well poised to hit the ground running when season six begins in Perth as they are a rare case of a new team but everyone on board having at least a season of experience sailing the F50 foiling catamarans.
Speaking to the Herald after signing, Farrand said having to make up for a lack of experience was a steep learning curve in his season with Italy, who were new to the league in season five.
“We learned that it’s pretty tough to teach everybody how to sail the F50, but if you’ve got the experience already, hopefully [we’ll] be a force to be reckoned with straight off the bat.”
SailGP season six signings so far
Sweden
Nathan Outteridge – driver (free agent)
Chris Draper – wing trimmer (Australia)
Andy Maloney – flight controller (Brazil)
Brad Farrand – grinder/jib trimmer (Italy)
Julia Gross – strategist (Italy)
Julius Hallstrom – grinder (Denmark)
Australia
Iain Jensen – wing trimmer (Great Britain)
Great Britain
Stuart Bithell – wing trimmer (Germany)
Brazil
Rasmus Kostner – flight controller (Denmark)
Italy
Phil Robertson – driver (free agent)
Jana Germani – strategist (free agent)
Germany
Kevin Peponnet – wing trimmer (France)
Canada
Alex Sinclair – grinder (Italy)
France
Bruno Mourniac – grinder (free agent)
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.