Team New Zealand had entered the next America’s Cup.

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZL

Sail-World spoke with Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker following that announcement and asked why the longest running and most successful team in the modern America’s Cup had entered at this early stage?

'The key reason is that it allows us to be involved in the design process for the new class, which is a very good incentive, when you are in a challenging position because of the extra time it gives you. Certainly this time compared to over previous Cup campaigns we don’t have the breathing space to sit there and figure whether we’re able to get going by October (when the new rule is announced). You have to be underway now.

'Last time we had over a year from the time we lost in 2003 until the time we were set up to go again. And, yet we were still able to catch up enough to get through the Louis Vuitton Series This time we just don’t have that time available and need to start building the new boat early next year.

In spite of having the concession made about having an input to the new rule drafting process, Emirates Team New Zealand has seen nothing, and is as much in the dark on the exercise as anyone else. 'The only thing that they are talking about governing are length, sail area and draft', explains Barker. 'It will depend on what they are trying to create. If they are going to use a Box Rule they might try and limit displacement. What they might try and limit in an appendage package is another thing. > more