Meet the returning members of our Cyclor Union, previously known as the 'Grinders Union'. After a seven-year hiatus, the cyclors return to the America's Cup.
After a seven-year hiatus, Cyclors have returned to the America’s Cup. The cycling sailors first appeared in 2017 at the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda, when Emirates Team New Zealand went against the tradition of Grinders using their arms to power the boat’s hydraulic system, opting for pedal power instead. They were the only team to do so, but going against the grain paid off, as they dominated to take home the Cup. The Kiwis then implemented a rule in the 36th America’s Cup protocol which stated the boat’s hydraulics had to be powered by arms moving in a circular motion, essentially banning any team from using Cyclors. But the 37th America’s Cup sees the return of Cyclors, and INEOS Britannia has a squad of nine in the team, half of whom were previously Grinders. Learn more about the Grinder turned Cyclor crew below.
David ‘Freddie’ Carr:
On his sixth America’s Cup campaign and taking on a brand new role as a Cyclor, David ‘Freddie’ Carr is proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks. The 42-year-old from Newport, Isle of Wight, took part in his first America’s Cup campaign in 2003 and has been with the British Challenger since 2014.
During his America’s Cup career, Freddie has racked up an impressive eight podium finishes from 12 America’s Cup World Series (ACWS) events, including three event wins in the 2012/13 ACWS circuit and finished as runner-up in the 2013 Louis Vuitton Cup – the 30th anniversary of the event. He has been a Grinder in previous Cup campaigns, using his arms to provide power, but has embraced the challenge of switching to a leg-dominant role as a Cyclor for the 37th America’s Cup and states he’s the fittest he’s ever been after the intense training programme.
Learn more about Freddie here.
Ben Cornish
Ben Cornish is another former Grinder, having joined the British Challenger for the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland. The 32-year-old from Budleigh Salterton in Devon competed for Great Britain at several World Championships in the single-handed Laser class, before switching to the heavyweight Finn dinghy.
One of his career highlights racing in the boat was a gold medal win at the 2017 Finn World Cup Final in Santander. Ben was selected for the INEOS Britannia Cyclor squad, and his second America’s Cup campaign, due to his sailing skill and fitness.
Learn more about Ben here.
Matt Gotrel MBE aka 'Shrek'
Matt Gotrel, known affectionately as Shrek to all in the team, began sailing aged eight and quickly took to the sport. After progressing into the Olympic 49er class, Matt decided to focus on his education and embarked on an engineering degree at Loughborough University. At Loughborough, Matt was encouraged to join the rowing team, where he excelled in the sport and three years later joined the Great Britain Rowing Team.
He was victorious at two World Championships before going on to win Olympic gold. After deciding not to pursue a second Olympic campaign, Matt took up an engineering job at Rolls Royce before he was approached to return to sailing as a Grinder for the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team and also the British team for the 36th America’s Cup. He returns for his second campaign as a Cyclor.
Learn more about Shrek here.
Neil Hunter
Neil Hunter is taking part in his third America’s Cup campaign, an impressive feat for a 29-year-old. He grew up on the Isle of Arran on Scotland’s west coast and had a successful youth sailing career, winning two National Championships in the 49er class and also being part of the British team that won the 2017 Youth America’s Cup in Bermuda.
After impressing Sir Ben Ainslie with his performance, Neil was invited to join the senior British America’s Cup squad for their Bermuda challenge and was on-board as a Grinder for racing. He took on the same role in the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland and is also a Grinder on-board the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team. For his third campaign, Neil will be a Cyclor and has been training hard cycling in the gym and on the road in preparation for the change.
Meet Neil here.
Luke Parkinson aka 'Parko'
Luke Parkinson began sailing aged five in Perth, Western Australia. He has competed in one Youth America’s Cup, two Volvo Ocean Races and is currently on his third America’s Cup campaign.
Known as Parko to the team, the 34-year-old was a Flight Controller in previous campaigns, and while he maintains that role in the Emirates Great Britian SailGP Team, for the 37th America’s Cup with INEOS Britannia he has joined the Cyclor squad. Parko transitioned to Cyclor due to his fitness level and power potential. In 2023 year he completed the Barcelona Ironman in nine hours, 51 minutes and 53 seconds, placing him 76th out of 2,290 competitors.
Learn more about Parko here.