Conner’s Co-Skipper Has Round-the-World Credentials

Brad Butterworth, who is co-skipper on Dennis Conner’s boat in the Whitbread Round the World Race, was Peter Blake’s watch captain aboard Steinlager 2 that won the 1989-90 race. He has organized Conner’s boat along the same stringent lines.

To save weight, which costs speed, each crewman is limited in what he can bring on board. They can’t even bring personal cameras, and Butterworth provides their toothbrushes.

“We give the guys a list of what they can have,” Butterworth said. “They have a six-kilo (13.2-pound) weight limit. That’s all their thermal gear and personal effects, not counting their wet weather gear.”

Although Steinlager 2’s major sponsor was a brewery, no alcohol was allowed on board. Does it follow, then, that although Conner’s major sponsor is a cigarette company, smoking will be prohibited?

“Uh . . . it’s pretty hard to do that,” Butterworth said. “You can’t (smoke) downstairs, but on deck it’s not a problem. A few of the guys smoke.”