This week, Melanie Roberts, Race Official at the 2020 America’s Cup, joins us on the San Diego Yacht Club Sailcast to talk about her experiences with Sail GP and the 2020 America’s Cup in New Zealand.
Melanie joins us shortly after her return from the America’s Cup in New Zealand and starts the conversation with how she got started in the event. She tells us about working at St. Francis Yacht Club and basically being in the right place at the right time. She explains her roles in her America’s Cup in 2013 and meeting Iain Murray, the Race Director for America’s Cup, who led her into future races, including the Bermuda race in 2017.
Melanie discusses her current position with Sail GP and tells host Alli Bell how it differs from the America’s Cup. “The timing was the biggest difference, but the race management is still the same,” she said. With that, Melanie gave a hint about the upcoming Sail GP in Bermuda on April 24-25.
The conversation switches gears into the details of this past year’s America’s Cup in 2020. She tells us how it came about for her and explains the events she helped with leading up to the Cup including the Prada Cup. She tells us what it felt like for her being there in New Zealand and what her role on the water was. In addition, Melanie discusses with Alli the role that technology plays in the race.
The episode ends with what Melanie did in New Zealand outside of the race, what’s in store for future Sail GP’s, and of course, advice on how to get involved with similar ventures as Melanie.
“Keep good relationships with everyone. The sailing world is super well connected,” she said.