XXXIe America's Cup

 

 
NZL 81 & 82
(© Franck Socha)

 

 Grant Dalton to head Team NZ (04/23/03)
 (source : Stuff.co.nz)

Yachting legend Grant Dalton is expected to be named as Team New Zealand's managing director today.

The former round-the-world yachtsman has been touted as a contender after the team's disastrous 5-0 loss in the America's Cup to Swiss team Alinghi in February. An announcement will be made at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland this morning.

Dalton, 45, could not be reached for comment last night. However, supporters have indicated he has the skills for the new position, which takes overall responsibility for the team.

Earlier this month, former manager of New Zealand's Olympic yachting team Rod Slater said: "My experience of watching Grant Dalton putting campaigns together is he has got what it takes."

Dalton's first round-the-world race was in the 1981-82 Whitbread. He won the 1993-94 event on the yacht Endeavour. m
 

 Team NZ move to protect assets (04/01/03)
 (source : NZoom)

Team New Zealand announced plans on Tuesday afternoon to re-sign key personnel, whose contracts expired on Monday evening, for up to a further six months, while they decide whether to mount a challenge for the next America's Cup.

They plan to complete a feasibility study on a 2007 challenge by October this year, but have a commitment from syndicate head Tom Schnackenberg if a New Zealand challenge goes ahead.

"We are determined to never again be as vulnerable as we were in 2000 to defections", said Team New Zealand chairman Ralph Norris. "We regard the commitment by Tom to be part of any future challenge to be critical, and he will be the nucleus of any 2007 Team New Zealand."

The $5.6 million received from the New Zealand government in early March will be used to underwrite the salaries of an extended group of core team members.

"The seeding finance from the Government will be treated as a loan until a decision is made to challenge, and the sale of assets will cover repayment in the event we do not challenge," wrote Norris.

They are also seeking to appoint a Managing Director to take on overall responsibility for the syndicate and a Director of Sailing to lead the sailing group and control the boat design process. However, until the future contracts are signed the identities will be kept confidential.

Over the last month the Kiwi syndicate have completed an internal review of their dismal performance in the 2003 America's Cup. And they vow to complete a review with sponsors and external business partners by the end of April.

"We believe we have pinpointed answers to the questions all New Zealanders are asking regarding our 5-0 loss," Norris said. They will not yet reveal exactly what those answers are, but say they lie within the team, rather than any funding or construction errors.

"While we will in the future discuss the reasons identified by the report, there may be intellectual property we may wish to keep confidential if we believe that releasing this information may assist other syndicates."

It's believes skipper Dean Barker is currently overseas trying to secure funding.

"Our present view is that if we were to mount a challenge we would only be successful with a significantly increased budget funded by global corporates," wrote Norris. "And that given the improvements we anticipate need to be made, we would need a boat design, sail and sailing team package greatly superior to that of any syndicate that competed in the 2003 regatta."
 

 Team NZ delay announcement (03/31/03)
 (source : NZoom)

As of Monday evening the contracts binding members to Team New Zealand's 2003 campaign expired.

After losing 5-nil to Switzerland-based Alinghi in the America's Cup series the New Zealand syndicate have gone to ground, dedicating numerous hours to reviewing what went wrong.

The team gathered at the Halsey Street base on Monday for a special meeting to outline their future.

Team New Zealand chairman Ralph Norris declined to comment after the meeting, but said a public announcement will be made on Tuesday.
 

 Team NZ is expected to announce a challenge (03/30/03)
 (source : Sunday Star on Stuff.co.nz)

Former defender is expected to announce tomorrow that it is pushing ahead with a challenge for the 2007 regatta in Europe, despite few commitments from sponsors.

The internal inquiry into Team New Zealand losing the cup to Swiss syndicate Alinghi is said to have been "honest and brutal".

One of the criticisms has been the lack of a strong central figure like the late Sir Peter Blake. Round-the-world winner Dalton is seen to be from a similar mould and he has been approached by Team New Zealand trustees Peter Menzies and Ralph Norris.

"A job like that is a huge challenge and as a passionate Kiwi it's hard to say no to a challenge," said Dalton. "I am interested but it all depends on terms and conditions. I understand Team New Zealand is keen to challenge."

Dalton said there was a need to get things rolling quickly.

"Things that happen now will decide how 2007 pans out. I don't believe it's as desperate as 2000 when huge chequebooks were waved around to get our best sailors. But we can't afford to lose key people again".

"It's a catch 22 situation at the moment - people won't commit money without a team and direction but it's hard to commit a team without funding".

"I see it similar to 1992 when out of the ashes of defeat rose a phoenix that went on to win and defend the Cup. We have the skill to do that again."

Dalton's strengths go beyond his sailing ability. He has a good understanding of design, knows how to organise a campaign and, importantly, has strong contacts overseas at a time when Team New Zealand funding is likely to be built around offshore sponsorship.

"Getting the America's Cup back is one of the biggest issues facing New Zealand sport and industry," he said.

A challenge in Europe will be expensive. It's understands major sponsor SAP, one of the world's biggest e-solutions providers, has indicated a willingness to stay involved.

Team New Zealand met with its family of five sponsors last week and Executive director Tony Thomas is heading to Europe seeking sponsorship opportunities there.

There will also be an increased government investment, perhaps backing the campaign on a $1 for every $2 raised by Team New Zealand.
 

 Grant Dalton offers to head Team NZ (03/29/03)
 (source : NZ City)

Round the world veteran Grant Dalton has made it clear he is available to head the syndicate if it challenges for the America's Cup again.

Dalton says it would be a great challenge and one that would be hard to turn down if offered.

Grant Dalton says Team New Zealand looks to be in a holding pattern at the moment, and they need to establish what direction they will take for the next campaign.