DOB: 20.02.1967 Crew position: Tactician Shore job: Technical research Profession/trade: Professional sailor/project manager

Stead will bring a wealth of experience to Great Britain's challenge as a member of the afterguard.

The 35-year-old has two Olympics and numerous Admirals Cup successes behind him.

At the 1992 Olympics he finished 15th in the Soling class.

Four years later in Atlanta, in a three-man team that included Andrew Beadsworth, a fellow member of GBR Challenge, Stead just missed out on a medal, finishing fourth.

He was also a part of Silk Cut's crew in the 1997 Whitbread Round the World Race.

And in 2000 he skippered Britain's Barlo Plastics entry in the Tour de France a la Voile.