Team New Zealand

OneWorld Challenge strikes back (08/12/02) (sources : NZ Herald & Telegraph)
So long in the spotlight for supposedly illegally holding Team New Zealand's winning designs from the 2000 America's Cup, the Seattle-based OneWorld team now believe the reverse is true: that the Kiwi defenders have copies of their own designs for next year's America's Cup. The startling discovery was made on Friday when Sean Reeves, OneWorld's former employee, met the team's lawyers in Seattle. Reeves' allegations and evidence are at the centre of a civil case being heard in the Washington State courts, and a pending judgment from the America's Cup arbitration panel. OneWorld spokesman Bob Ratcliffe alleges that, in a deposition sworn on Friday, Reeves admitted copying eight or nine of OneWorld's hull lines drawings and sending them to Team New Zealand. These are said to be the same hull designs that Reeves originally claimed OneWorld had illegally obtained, apparently of TNZ's 2000 Cup winner, NZL 60, and her sistership, NZL 57. An incensed Ratcliffe believes that, if the Cup defenders did receive the plans unsolicited from Reeves, they should have informed the challenger immediately and returned them, or handed the confidential material directly to a neutral third party, such as the arbitration panel or America's Cup Class technical director. "It is disgraceful that Team New Zealand have failed to return our calls," said Ratcliffe. "They have not had the good courtesy to tell us if they have these plans. The defender is also the trustee of the Cup and this is shoddy. The trustee should be above reproach." The line drawings Mr Reeves gave Team New Zealand last week are believed to be Mr Davidson's initial work prepared for OneWorld in 2000. The panel is due to rule on that case this month.

First Team NZ yacht delivered (08/08/02)
(source : Team NZ)

The yacht, NZL81, was transported 7km by truck from boatbuilder Cookson Boats across Auckland's Harbour Bridge to the syndicate's base at Viaduct Basin.

"I have a feeling about this boat -- I think it's a good one," Team New Zealand shore boss Roy Mason said on the team's official web site.

The trip was made at night to avoid traffic and onlookers. The hull was under protective silver covers.

Mason and Cup veteran Barr McKay oversaw the moving operation. Team New Zealand members had worked with Cookson to create the hull over four months.

The hull will now be completed by Team New Zealand at their base before the yacht is launched later in the month. The final touches include securing fittings and appendages and getting the boat officially measured.

Work is continuing on the second boat, NZL82, which should be finished within the next two months.

First Team NZ boat almost finished (07/19/02)
(source : NZ Herald)

The first of Team New Zealand's two boats to defend the Cup, NZL 81, will be taken from its North Shore boatbuilding yard this week to the team's Halsey St base for final work.

The boat will have deck hardware fitted within the security of the base, ready for launching about the end of this month.

Updated list of IACC

The Great Team New Zealand Auction (07/30/02) (sources : *NZ Herald* *& Team NZ)*
Team New Zealand has more than 95 per cent of its budget secured for defending the America's Cup next year. Chief executive Ross Blackman said yesterday that the syndicate still had to raise about 4 per cent of the money needed for the defence, but he was sure all the necessary funds would be found. The size of the budget has never been revealed, but it is thought to be at least $80 million - twice that of the last campaign. The innovative fundraising campaign - to be known as the Great Team New Zealand Auction - was launched yesterday by Jeff Davidson, the Managing Director of Bayleys Corporation, and Ross Blackman, the Chief Executive of Team New Zealand. Jeff Davidson says it is hoped to secure in excess of 2,000 donated items for the on-line auction in which bidders will enter a dedicated internet site to make their bids. The Great Team New Zealand Auction will go live on September 12 and run through to October 18, culminating in a gala fundraising dinner and live auction in Auckland. Funds generated will go to Team New Zealand to help them win the America's Cup. Items sourced will have a minimum value of $300 per item for the online auction to $5000-plus for the dinner. Mr Davidson says this strikes a balance between allowing a wide range of people to donate while, at the same time, raising a worthwhile amount of money for Team New Zealand. A number of substantial items have already been pledged, including a Lexus Car and US holiday with return airfares. Bidders will be able to access Trade Me www.trademe.co.nz directly or via the Team New Zealand website www.teamnewzealand.com or the Bayleys site www.bayleys.co.nz. The highest previous bid will be displayed on each item and bidders will receive an e-mail alert when their bid has been exceeded. Team New Zealand's Ross Blackman says the Great Team New Zealand Auction is a very welcome initiative. "Not only does it have the potential to raise a significant amount of money to assist with our staging of the defence, but the use of Bayleys' national office network and contacts to secure auction items means people from around the country will have the opportunity to get involved. This is very important to Team New Zealand."
TV ONE's coverage

Nation-wide Support Crew programme for TNZ (07/19/02)
(source : Scuttlebutt)

Team New Zealand has launched a nation-wide Support Crew programme in response to widespread offers of assistance from the public. The all-new programme will provide a number of different opportunities for the public to contribute to New Zealand's America's Cup 2003 campaign at the 78 stores operated by The Warehouse. Ross Blackman, the Chief Executive of Team New Zealand, said, "We have been flooded with offers so I am delighted to respond with this announcement."

David Wilson, the General Manager of The Warehouse said the Support Crew programme is intended to be affordable, with contributions starting at just one dollar and the most expensive Membership level costing $20. The initial opportunity, launched within all stores today, is for customers to purchase $1, $2 and $5 donation cards. They will be displayed near the checkouts and the full amount paid will go to Team New Zealand.

In mid-September, just prior to the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series, a Support Crew Membership card carrying a magnetic strip will be offered in three categories - Bronze ($9.99), Silver ($14.99) and Gold ($19.99). Benefits will vary between the three categories and will include exclusive visits to the Team New Zealand base and chances for a Support Crew member to win a 17th Man ride on a Team New Zealand yacht.

Within The Warehouse, the Support Crew memberships cards will entitle members to a discount on their next purchase. As well as invitations to special shopping nights at The Warehouse, there will be chances for Support Crew members presenting their card to get all their purchases free of charge.

TNZ was going to be publicly accountable (07/12/02)
(source : National Business Review on Scuttlebutt)

Cash-strapped Team New Zealand promises a public peek at its books for the first time after the next America ' s Cup campaign. The defender claims to have a NZ$9.5 million shortfall, much of it needed to run the cup campaign, and has put out a call for more money. A well-placed source close to Team New Zealand's financial problems suggests the shortfall may be a lot more than NZ$9.5 million.

But the yachting syndicate, which has already been given or pledged nearly $6 million in public funds, is not likely to tell the whole story of how the public funds are spent. Past Team New Zealand management and trustees always refused to discuss financial affairs, branding those who dared raise public accountability as disloyal and unpatriotic.

Asked when Team New Zealand intended to be more financially transparent and publicly accountable about public funding, syndicate chief executive Ross Blackman said there was no obligation to release financial details and hung up. He later phoned to make the following statement: "As a private company we won't be releasing our annual report. As Team New Zealand we will be releasing an independent appraisal and report on the finances of the team at the completion of the campaign."

A clearly prickly Mr Blackman said he could not say who would do the report but they "would be selected by the directors of the team, which includes myself." He said the independent report would "show whatever the independent reporter decides to show" and Team New Zealand was going to be "more publicly accountable."

NZ designers can tweak boat till last moment (07/09/02)
(source : NZ Herald)

The hull for what could be Team New Zealand's next America's Cup defender is almost complete, but design work for the keel, sails and other features will continue for another six months, thanks to computer-based design systems.

Team designer Nick Holroyd said the hull will emerge from Cookson Boats on the North Shore this month and be taken to the team base in the Viaduct Harbour for deck hardware and appendages to be fitted.

"We had the last tank session in March and the hull design was fixed in early April," Holroyd said.

"We can change keel configurations up to the last declaration date, which is a week before the cup starts," he said.

Auckland City voted the Team NZ donation (06/27/02)
(source : NZ Herald)

Auckland City councillors last night voted 11-5 to give Team New Zealand $650,000 to help it run the America's Cup match.

The money will help Team New Zealand to meet a $9.5 million shortfall and to promote, manage and staff the best-of-nine series between the cup holders and the winner of the challengers regatta.

Ratepayers are now contributing $910,000 towards the cup. On top of the $650,000 grant to Team New Zealand, the council has committed $260,000 to an America's Cup welcome and to victory parades.

Funding shortfall for Team New Zealand (06/25/02)
(source : NZ Herald)

Team New Zealand is $9.5 million short of the money it needs for the America's Cup and is asking Auckland City Council for a $650,000 donation.

The funding shortfall was revealed in an Auckland City Council finance committee agenda. The committee meets today to decide whether to vote the $650,000 the syndicate has asked for, with a final decision due at tomorrow's full council meeting.

Team NZ was not expecting the agenda item to become public. Chief executive Ross Blackman pointed out there were eight months to go before the defence began and said the syndicate was "comfortable" with funding achieved so far.

"We are in discussions with Auckland City Council but as always we don't discuss our financial arrangements," he said.

The council document said Team NZ was spending its budget in three areas - managing the Viaduct Harbour area, running the cup event and on the defence itself.

Most of the $9.5 million shortfall was needed for running the event. Team NZ had the backing of two sponsors compared with five for running the 2000 event. The document said: "Team New Zealand also advises there have been unanticipated expenses beyond those originally budgeted, which has also contributed to the shortfall."

In 2000, after the defections of skipper Russell Coutts and tactician Brad Butterworth to the Swiss syndicate headed by pharmaceuticals billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, the Government handed $5 million to Team NZ for the defence.

Auckland Mayor John Banks said last night that he would vote in support of the council making the $650,000 one-off grant to Team New Zealand because of the economic benefits from the cup.