GBR Challenge will put out their strongest crews for the America's Cup Jubilee next week, as they get their first chance to assess the progress made in the past four months.

The Cowes based British America's Cup team will face the two syndicates that competed in the last America's Cup, Team New Zealand and Prada, and will field two crews in GBR 52 and GBR 41, the former Nippon Challenge yachts, to measure their skills against them.

Sailing manager Ian Walker, who will helm GBR52, said: "Coming up against America's Cup syndicates for the first time ever in ACC yachts will provide a benchmark for us and should highlight the areas where we need to improve.

"We want both our yachts reaching the match racing stage of the competition."

Walker has trialled more than 50 sailors over the past few months and joining the crew of GBR 41 are Guy Barron, who has run some coaching sessions for GBR Challenge, and Mark Heeley, the most outstanding Farr 40 sailor this summer.

Barron will work in the afterguard of the yacht in which he represented the Nippon Challenge in the 1995 Louis Vuitton Cup.

Prada, winners of the Louis Vuitton Cup, will race in Luna Rossa, a 2000 generation ACC yacht, whilst Team New Zealand will compete in Black Magic, the yacht that they won the 1995 America's Cup with.

Among the crew on Walker's boat GBR 52 are Ado Stead, the Hamble yachtsman who will call tactics on the courses, which will be staged off Bembridge and Seaview, and Daily Echo columnist James Stagg, who will be in the pit.

Ian Budgen and former Southampton University student Andy Green will also be put through their paces on board Britain's first boat while the two rowing heavyweights Greg Searle and Ian Weighell will grind on GBR 41 with Andy Beadsworth helming.

Neal McDonald, who leaves the British America's Cup project after the Jubilee to join Volvo Ocean Race crew Assa Abloy, will take the mainsheet.

CREWS:

GBR52

Bow: Peter Thomas; Mid Bow: Mark Sheffield; Mast: George Skuodas; Pit: James Stagg; Runner/Pit: Jonathon Taylor; Grinder: Guy Reid; Grinder: Jim Lyne; Mid Grinder: Chris Main; Trimmer: Simon Fry; Trimmer: Ian Budgen; Wind Caller / traveller:Andy Green; Mainsheet: Chris Mason; Tactics: Adrian Stead; Navigator: Julian Salter; Aft Grinder: Ben Morrison-Jack; Helm: Ian Walker

GBR41

Bow: Nik Pearson; Mid Bow:Will I'Anson; Mast: Mo Gray; Pit: Jim Turner; Runner/Pit: Craig Nutter; Grind: Greg Searle; Grind: Ian Weighell; Mid Grind: Mark Covell; Trim: Richard Sydenham; Trim: Mal Parker; Wind Caller / runner: Guy Barron; Mainsheet: Neal Macdonald

Runners: Mark Heeley; Navigator/ Tactician: Derek Clark; Aft Grinder: David Carr; Helm: Andy Beadsworth.