FEBRUARY 25, 2003

Irony in Auckland

The Swiss Alinghi team and its America's Cup sailing rival Team New Zealand have been fighting it out in recent weeks for the big prize but in recent days weather problems have delayed the racing. To keep everyone amused Alinghi has been letting the crew play football but unfortunately this has now claimed the team's fitness trainer as a victim, Frenchman Xavier Jolis having broken his leg in a clash with another player.

What does this have to do with Formula 1? Well, Jolis was the man who helped Michael Schumacher get over his broken leg in 1999 after the two met when Michael was being treated at a hospital in Geneva. Jolis then worked as Schumacher's personal fitness trainer until he went to Auckland to join the Alinghi team in June 2001.