Twice a world champion and a 2000 Olympics gold medallist in the single sculls, Rob Waddell switched to sailing for Team New Zealand for the 2003 defence. He trained as a grinder and brought to the Team a focus and will to win that characterised his years in rowing. Following the 2007 America’s Cup, Rob returned to rowing and represented New Zealand in the double sculls at the Beijing Olympics and in 2009 returned to Emirates Team New Zealand’s squad for the Louis Vuitton Trophy series. He’s now back with the team working on the AC72 programme.