Bill Trenkle - Team Dennis Conner, United States

	Bill Trenkle, Director of Operations and headsail trimmer, Team Dennis Conner.

The 2002-03 Regatta is his eighth campaign since his debut in 1980.

He's an integral player in Team Dennis Conner, where he fills the role of Director of Operations. This entails overseeing the design, building and maintenance of the Stars & Stripes boats, while also managing the sailing team.

And on the water, Bills is an accomplished headsail trimmer.

Bill's wife Crystal and their two sons Tyler (7) and Justin (3) are with him in New Zealand.

Q: What activities do you enjoy while you’re in New Zealand?

A: I like fishing a lot, and visiting different places when there’s time.

We arrived in Auckland late for this campaign, so there hasn’t been any opportunity to do anything this time so far.

But we had plenty of chances when we were here for the last Regatta, in 1999-2000.

We went to Lake Taupo and did some fishing, including fly-fishing for the first time, and we really enjoyed that. We managed to catch a couple of trout as well. Tyler loves fishing and I’d like to do the trip to Lake Taupo again when there’s time.

We also went to Queenstown. That was a great place to relax and do some fishing. I hope to return this trip, although that will have to wait until after the racing is over.

Q: What does your family enjoy about living here?

A: They’re out here again this time as they were three years ago. They really love the countryside and parks. They enjoy going to places like One Tree Hill and playing in the parks you have here. They’re so much greener than they are at home around San Diego (although I don’t care so much for the amount of rain you have at times).

My family also likes the cultural differences here, and going out on your beautiful harbour in Auckland is another favourite with us.

Q: What tourist attractions and activities have you taken in here?

A: Apart from going to Lake Taupo and Queenstown, we’ve seen some other places.

Last time we stayed out on Great Barrier Island. We did some snorkelling there and the water was just beautiful, so clear.

We also went to the Bay of Islands. The rock formations are fantastic to look at around the coastline up there.

Q: You live in San Diego. What are the big differences you and your family notice about life here?

A: I think the key one is that life here is at a slightly slower pace than we’re used to in San Diego. What I would also say, is that there’s no doubt people here are a lot friendlier than anywhere else in the world - and I’ve been to lots of different places in my time.

Q: What would you rate as your favourite holiday destinations in New Zealand?

A: That’s easy – Lake Taupo and Queenstown. They’re great places to go to and we plan to go to both of them again this time. Queenstown is just one of the most beautiful places you could find.