Crew

 

2011 Transpac Crew

 


Hap Fauth: Owner

The last five years building “Team Bella Mente” has been a blast. Racing in Europe, on the East Coast, and West Coast has allowed us to become a real racing family. The learning curve, camaraderie, and winning is now part of our DNA. I can’t imagine spending time with a better group of guys. Looking forward to the next Bella Mente.



Thomas Allin: Trimmer/Boatbuilder

On the boat, Thomas trims the headsails or the backstay. On land, Thomas is Bella Mente’s skilled boatbuilder. In addition to sailing on Bella Mente, Thomas can often be found on the Melges 32 circuit.


Ryan Brown

Ryan joined the program last November and focuses on getting the boat ready to race.


Michele “Mickey” Cannoni: Mid-Bow

This will be Mickey’s third season as Bella Mente’s mid-bow.  His sailing background includes the 32nd America’s Cup as mid-bow and pit assist on Luna Rossa, the Louis Vuitton Trophy on Azzurra, as well as numerous regattas on the Melges 24 and TP 52 circuits.


Sean “Doogie” Couvreux: Bowman

Doogie joined Bella Mente in 2008 and has been on Bella’s bow ever since. In addition to running the front of the boat, his onshore responsibilities include taking care of Bella’s rig. His past sailing experience includes one design racing, match racing, and the America’s Cup Challenger Series.


Daniel Fong: Trimmer/Driver

Daniel is joining this year’s Transpac team as a trimmer and helmsman. His past sailing experience includes the America’s Cup, the RC44 Circuit, the Audi Med Cup TP 52, as well as the Whitbread Round the World Race.


Peter “Pirate” Henderson: Boat Captain

Pirate has been with Bella Mente since 2006 and is currently the boat’s captain and chief problem solver. When racing, he covers various positions including the pit, helm, trimmer, and more.


Tom “Tomac” McLaughlin: Racing Crew Coordinator

Tomac’s job includes helping organize the race calendar, crew practice, and the frequent break-ups of fistfights between high-strung crewmembers!

Ian Moore


Robert Ouellette: Project Manager/Mainsail Caddy, Backup Navigator

Rob has sailed with Hap on Bella since the first Key West on the JV 66 in 2006. He is currently the project manager for the new boat and races with the crew as the back-up navigator.


Romolo Ranieri: Grinder

Romolo has been a grinder with Bella Mente since 2007. In addition to sailing on Bella Mente, he has raced with the Luna Rossa team in 3 America’s Cup campaigns. His other sailing experience includes the Louis Vuitton Trophy, the TP52 circuit, the Audi Medcup, 12 Meters, and Match Racing.

 


Tony Reaper: Trimmer/Driver

For the Transpac, Tony will be trimming and driving. He has sailed with Bella Mente for the past three years, bringing 32 years of offshore sailing experience with him. He has been on the winning boat in numerous well-known regattas such as the 50 Foot World Championships, the Congressional Cup, the Bermuda Race, the Fastnet, and more.


Mike Sanderson: Helmsman/Trimmer

Mike brings an enormous wealth of experience to Bella Mente. He is a two-time winner of the Volvo Ocean Race, holds or has held, numerous World Records, has sailed in four America’s Cup campaigns, and was the ISAF World Sailor of the Year in 2007.


Matt Smith

Matt has been a professional sailor since 1993, and brings a wealth of experience with him. He has sailed in many classes and events, including one design racing, match racing, the TP52 circuit, as well as the America’s Cup.


John von Schwarz: Grinder and Winch/Hydraulics Maintenance

On Bella Mente John is a grinder, and his onshore duties include looking after the winches and hydraulics. Past sailing history includes Star Boat sailing, as well as crewing on several high profile boats such as the Moneypenny and Rambler.


Alex Wadson: Rig Set Up, Grinder, Trimmer, Driver

Alex works for Future Fibres and supplies much of the Carbon rigging for Bella Mente’s mast. In addition to working on the rig, he races on the boat, grinding, trimming, driving, or working wherever he is needed.